Lenten Devotional
By Julie Burroughs

Scripture Reading:

James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

James 4:3, You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passion.

Reflection:

At various points in the writing of my own email devotional, I have thought that perhaps I’m doing it
“wrong” or that I’m somehow unsuccessful because I don’t have a regular timetable for publication, such as once a week.

One season of Lent, I considered a goal of sending out a devotional each day. Then it occurred to me that I was attempting to give the Spirit a goal, telling God He should inspire me daily! Instead, I made my goal to pray for my writing daily. I prayed, "God, I give it up to You whether You send inspiration and opportunity to write for You today."

Through this daily prayer, I did not produce daily devotionals, but I followed through with a discipline of praying about it daily, turning my writing over to God in prayer daily, and writing when inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness! Help me remember and keep in constant communication with You, as Your line is always open.