Devotions from Tri-City ELCA Pastors – Vicar Anand Darla of Good Shepherd South Asian Ministries, September 03, 2020

Vicar Anand Darla’s Devotion for September 03, 2020:

Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:12-14 

The Holy Spirit helped Paul to create a pattern of prayer for all believers to follow. Paul’s prayer consists of two main components which are praise and petition. Likewise, our prayers should include praise as well as petitions. Another important thing in prayer is that we need to pray for all people of God and for the rest of the people who are perishing without knowing the Savior (1 Timothy 2:1). And also, we need to thank God for giving us opportunities to be involved in His ministries according to the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. 

     Now how many of us are really praising God amidst the COVID-19 situation that all of us going through. We are all certainly in a state of wilderment because of the millions of people that lost their life, lost loved ones, became sick and lost jobs. In addition, we don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, but the Bible says that we need to pray in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 )¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

     I personally don’t know how and why we are in this terrible COVID-19 situation, even the whole World failed to figure it out. But as a follower of Christ, I should thank Him for such a wonderful grace and mercy He bestowed on us (1 Corinthians 1:4, Colossians 1:12) and “who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light”. All our lives are secured and destined to heaven as His adopted children (Col 3:3 your life is now hidden with Christ in God), because He is “The living God” and we are given enough strength and courage to face any kind of trails or challenges along with this ongoing pandemic. Finally, I encourage the body of Christ to permeate thankfulness through our speech, our songs, and our prayers (Hebrews 13:15). 

Shalom, 

Vicar Anand Darla, Good Shepherd South Asian Ministries