Prayer for Today, Tuesday, August 23

God of All Generations,

There are moments in our lives when we are filled with hope, enthusiasm and energy. There are other times when life is a struggle and we feel useless, lifeless and near despair. In our minds we know You are with us in the valleys as well as the mountain tops, but, when we are low, our hearts feel empty. In all things You are our God. Forgive us when we fail to see You, hear You, and feel You. Help us to realize You are the closest to us when we feel You are the farthest away. Please hug us today, Loving God. Hold us close so that we might be comforted by the rhythm of Your heart. In Jesus name we pray. AMEN.
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Dan Harris had successful out-patient surgery yesterday and is recovering at home. Please pray for Dan.

We have many “confidential” prayer requests. Please offer prayers for those who are hurting and with to remain anonymous.

The scripture for today is Galatians 4:21 – 5:1:
Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children, burst into song and shout, you who endure no birthpangs; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than the children of the one who is married.”Now you, my friends, are children of the promise, like Isaac. But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman.”So then, friends, we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman.
For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Grace and peace,

John McLemore