January 15, 2024

Matthew 28, 18 - 19

Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Reader,

Today's stamp from 1990 is not connected with praying. It shows a sphere with a communication network stretched around it. The sphere is supposed to represent planet earth. The right side on the stamp shows the reason for its existence. A printed line says: "125 years of the International Telecommunication Union".

The 178th Evangelical Alliance Week of Prayer will take place from January 14 to 21, 2024. Christians around the world are invited to pray together. As on the stamp, a prayer network should span around the globe. Christians in all countries around the world should not only believe together, but also pray together.

The Evangelical Alliance in Germany writes on its homepage:

"Prayer is the foundation of everything. When the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) was founded in 1846, the first decision - even before it was founded - was to introduce a worldwide week of prayer at the beginning of each year. I am very pleased that what stood at the very beginning of our worldwide alliance is still the supporting element and the basis of all our activities today." (Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, Secretary General of the WEA)

Today I would like to invite you to be part of this worldwide prayer network. Perhaps there is a Christian congregation where you live which you might be able to join. Perhaps you are all alone and have no opportunity to pray with other Christians. I encourage you to pray anyway and to trust that God hears your prayer and understands your heart's desire. Those who pray are part of this worldwide prayer network that spans our planet.

I would like to add a prayer from the German Evangelical Alliance:

"My God, I thank you for your great love for me and all people, long before I ever thought of you. Thank you for Jesus, your Son, my Savior. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who lives with his power in those who are united with you through faith. Please help me to be a credible witness of your love in my surroundings. Bless the people who proclaim your gospel in other nations on your behalf. Bless the people who live in our country from other nations and often of other faiths. Let them experience through us something of the love of Christ and the care of God. Amen."

Thank you very much for listening to me. Thank you for praying with me. I cordially invite you to the next devotion with stamps on February 1. Until then, I wish you God's blessing and protection in spirit, soul, and body through our Lord Jesus Christ.