“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” – Colossians 1:9

The New York Time’s ethicist received the following from an anonymous reader:

“I have an 85-year-old neighbor who is a sweet friend and caring person. My issue is that she is very religious and I’m not at all. She prays for me and says it in person, texts, and emails for even the most minor of situations. I’ve told her my view of religion and that she doesn’t need to pray for me. She said she has to, otherwise she’s not following the Bible. I’m trying to ignore this but it’s really bothering me that she can’t respect my wishes.”

“The Ethicist” responded:

“I’m glad that you’ve been honest with each other about your very different views concerning prayer. But… if you don’t think these prayers will do you any good, you presumably also don’t think they’ll do you any harm. By contrast, she thinks that you’ll be worse off without them, and that praying for you is her duty.

The only reason you give for objecting to her prayers is that she has failed to comply with your wishes. Yet I don’t find that she has thereby treated you with disrespect… So, you’re not entitled to insist that she stop including you in her prayers. What you can fairly ask is simply that she refrain from informing you about them. Still, instead of requiring that your octogenarian neighbor change her ways, I wonder whether you might change yours — and learn to accept this woman for who she is, hearing her prayers as a sincere expression of her loving feelings toward you.”

Continue to love people and be persistent in your prayers. Today in prayer, lift up to the Lord someone who needs your prayers.

“Pray often.” – John Bunyan

God’s Word: “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” – 2 Timothy 1:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS †

 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” – Colossians 1:3

Max Lucado tells the story of an intercession he experienced in Brazil in 1983. The transition was difficult enough with culture shock, but it was not helped by the fact that their possessions were held up in customs.

No matter how many times Lucado went to the customs office, the officer refused to release their possessions, giving explanations which he couldn’t fully understand, given his limited Portuguese.

One day, their neighbor Quenho, learning of their plight, offered to help: he was a lawyer.

All it took was Quenho going with Lucado to the customs office. Before long, the officer and Quenho were laughing, and Quenho introduced Lucado as his neighbor. Money may have changed hands. Whatever was said, the Lucados’ possessions were finally released!

Lucado concludes:

Quenho had everything I did not. He understood the culture. He knew the language. He could interpret the law. He perceived the problem. He knew how to persuade the Customs official. And, fortunately for us, he chose to speak on our behalf. He was our advocate.

One of the best gifts you can give others is prayer. Today in prayer, look to the Lord with expectancy and pray for some of the needs of others.

“I have benefited by my praying for others; for by making an errand to God for them, I have gotten something for myself.” – Samuel Rutherford

God’s Word: “God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” – Romans 1:9-10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN COLOSSIANS  †