40 Days of Prayer – Youth Devotional Day DAY 26

THE CHURCH AS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST EPHESIANS 5:32  

It has been said that “conversation is the lifeblood of all relationships.” What does that mean?  I think it means that talking matters.  

In Ephesians, Paul says the Church is “married” to Jesus in the same way a husband and  wife are married. Marriage is difficult to do well. The husband and wife must be cognitively,  emotionally, physically, and spiritually present. Marriage calls them to love God first, with  all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then to love their neighbor—their spouse—  as themselves.  

What does that have to do with prayer? Adults in healthy marriages talk regularly. Com munication is the lifeline of cooperation and growth in commitment to one another. If  they abandon meaningful, strategic, engaging conversation—even over the most boring  tasks—they are destined to drift apart. A good friend of mine says, “Drifting takes no effort.  It takes real grit to stay the course.” This is true in any relationship. We must stay engaged in  communicating regularly! 

How do we stay engaged in conversation with Jesus? Speak with Him about everything.  Unity in marriage means talking continually all day. My wife and I text all day about what’s  troubling us and what reminds us of each other. We do not have to go looking for something  to talk about. Life gives us all we need! 

PRAYER POINTS: 

1. Unity with Jesus is the same but better. Ask Jesus to reveal to you  ways in which you can become more unified with Him.  

2. Unlike a husband or wife, Jesus is always present and available  to listen to us in our weakness, brokenness, and daily experience.  Spend some intentional time talking with Him today. Bring  

everything to Him and ask Him to truly take control of your life.  

3. Jesus is our greatest confidant. Spend some time in prayer asking the  Lord to bring peace to your heart when you spend time with Him. 

»by Scott Robbins