40 Days of Prayer – Youth Devotional Day DAY 24

THE CHURCH AS GOD’S FAMILY EPHESIANS 2:19  

One hard thing I face from time to time is feeling like I don’t belong. Sometimes I make up an  idea in my mind that I am being left out. Maybe this is because some past hurts have caused  me to think that way. Maybe it’s the enemy causing me to feel lonely in an attempt to steal,  kill, and destroy my joy. These thoughts can leave me feeling pretty bummed. 

So I have to look at what God says about my belonging. I trust Him. I trust what He says. He  has proven Himself faithful to deliver hope and peace to me when I seek Him and His Word.  

There are many promises found in Ephesians 2:19. First, you are no longer strangers—you get  to experience the gift of an intimate relationship in belonging to God. This promise reminds  us that we are known and loved by God. Second, you are a fellow citizen with the saints—you  get to experience the gift of heavenly citizenship. We belong to a group of people who God  offers grace, mercy, and the right to approach Him with confidence. This promise reminds us  that we represent God as His citizen on earth. Third, you are a member of God’s household– You can experience all the gifts that come with belonging to the family of God. 

PRAYER POINTS: 

1. When you begin to feel lonely or like you don’t belong, ask the Lord to  remind you that you belong to Him and His family. 

2. Pray that the Holy Spirit will remind you how much He loves you and  wants you to live close to Him. 

3. Tell the Lord how grateful you are to belong to Him. When others  around you are feeling lonely or like they don’t belong, ask the Father  to give you words of comfort and compassion to point them to Him.  

»by Seth Roush