Daily Prayer & Devotion

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May 14, 2025

Dear Father God,

I know that You are calling me to draw near to You as I prepare now for whatI will face today...

But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 73:28

Thank You for drawing near to me as I draw near to You now...

Draw near to God
and He will draw near to you.
James 4:8

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who leads me to know what actions I must take to accomplish Your will for me today.

I thank You for Your Holy Spirit who works on my behalf and who guides me when I don't know what to do.

Thank You for Jesus who is my great Intercessor who stands in the gap and intercedes for me.

Please bring intercessors and friends into my life to hold me up in prayer and to help me along the way.

Likewise, help me be an intercessory prayer warrior, praying and interceding on the behalf of others around me who need prayer for their special needs and daily struggles.

Father God, please bless and increase my prayer times with You.

Please be with me and keep me from evil, that I may be a blessing to You and to those around me.

In the loving name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, I pray,

Amen.

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Jesus: A Sweet-Smelling Aroma

And walk in love, as Christ also has 

loved us and given Himself for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God
for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:2

A sin offering in the Old Testament was a sweet-smelling aroma. It was not sweet just because it was pleasing to the smell, as a person is pleased with the aroma of a cooking steak. The Father was pleased because the sacrifice symbolized the repentant cry of a sinner to God. In death, Jesus became that Sweet-Smelling Aroma. He made it possible for you to be saved. Just as the sweet-smelling aroma of the altar of incense in the Tabernacle symbolized the continued prayers going up to God, so the present-day priesthood of Jesus is a symbol of His continual intercession to the Father for you. Is the sacrifice of Jesus pleasing to you?

Jesus, thank You for Your sacrificial love for me. I have learned from Your example of love. I have experienced Your love firsthand, so I will walk in love.

Jesus is a Sweet-Smelling Aroma; His death pleased the Father (Isaiah 53:10). Now Jesus wants you to please the Father by your godly living. Yield your heart to Jesus, and He will help you do it. Jesus wants you to please the Father by yielding your time, talent and treasure in service. He will help you accomplish much in your service for the Kingdom. Jesus wants you to please the Father with your worship, because the Father seeks worshipers (John 4:23). Magnify the Father and Son today with praise, exaltation and thanksgiving.

Jesus, because You are my Sweet-Smelling Aroma to the Father, I worship the Father through Your intercession.  Amen.