A daily Devotion for Friday, October 23
Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
I resonate with the writer of today’s devotion in the UR. Not because I have experienced anything nearly so frightening or threatening, but because I often experience a similar sense of peace and friendship when I reach out to Jesus in prayer. Knowing God is listening, and knowing He cares about me brings me back to prayer over and over, in difficult times. And the peace which follows is truly miraculous. I recently had an experience with prayer when I was headed out to a meeting. I was feeling tired and unsure of the value of my participation. I prayed about it on the way, and then proceeded to have a very fruitful and rewarding experience. These small reminders of God’s love will help me to remember God when I have bigger things going on; when I need God’s love and peace the most.
Holy Lord, thank you for listening to me, and for sending peace to me when I need it. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Michele
Friday, October 23rd, 2026
Jesus and MEU
(focus Those Undergoing Cancer treatments
Today’s Reading Hebrews 4:14-16
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
I believe this scripture verse means that prayer must be truly sincere coming from our hearts and not just our heads. It does not have to be fervent to be effective. When we offer a truthful, heartfelt prayer, it will accomplish so much more, because my faith is in him, and not the ability to pray eloquent words that are of no value to me or to God. He knows all about…
Hebrews 4:14-16/James 5:16
For me this morning, the Hebrews reading puts the James verse into the context of one of the important aspects of Jesus’ mission. He came as the incarnation of the Father, but was fully human, including being “tempted in every way.” Through this, Jesus could fully and intimately empathize with our weaknesses. The divine difference, of course, was that despite temptation, Jesus did not sin. With or without prayer, I will sin, but Jesus’ sacrifice allows me to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,” receiving mercy and grace I do not deserve. Thus, is the power of faithful prayer.
Prayer - Kyrie eleison, Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen