January 7 | Praying Powerful Prayers

Today’s Bible in a Year reading from Genesis 18–19 and Matthew 6:1–18 draws our attention to what it means to live faithfully before a God who sees what others don’t. Scripture reminds us that true righteousness isn’t rooted in performance or visibility, but in trust, obedience, and a genuine relationship with the Lord. What happens in quiet faithfulness often carries the greatest spiritual weight.In Genesis 18 and 19, we see God personally involved in human history. He listens to Abraham’s intercession, responds to questions, and reveals His justice and mercy with clarity and purpose. These chapters show us that God is neither distant nor indifferent. He hears the prayers of His people, weighs the cries of the righteous, and acts according to His perfect character, even when His ways are difficult to understand.In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses giving, prayer, and fasting, redirecting the focus away from outward display and toward inward devotion. He teaches that spiritual practices are meant to be lived before God, not performed for others. When Jesus calls His followers to pray, give, and fast in secret, He isn’t diminishing their importance. He’s revealing where their true power lies. Spiritual depth grows when the heart is aligned with the Father who already knows our needs.Today’s reading invites us to examine not just what we do, but why we do it. Faith that pleases God flows from humility, sincerity, and trust. As you listen today, allow God’s Word to draw you into a quieter, deeper posture of obedience. Step away from performance, lean into relationship, and live with the confidence that God sees, hears, and responds.