Friday Writing by Corinne Mustafa........2/17/17

Good Morning,

The writing for to day was named, "Call to Prayer." In many different world religions there exists some sort of call to prayer to remind people to stop and pray. The most obvious one is the call that is broadcast from the minaret in Moslem countries. In the case of Christians they need to have the habit of praying first thing in the morning. We call this our quiet time. Many people who have the available time pray for about an hour first thing in the morning. This is a great way to start their day. Having that habit it a very effective call to prayer, and one that we could cultivate. Here is a quote from this writing, "I am not a saint, and sometimes I fall short. However, I am mindful of the importance of putting God first. There are times when I only "sneak a peak" so to speak. However, it is always my intention to spend time with God first thing, and give Him and me our time together." 

Hope your Friday is a good lead in to the weekend. Please pray that the rain not be catastrophic this weekend. It is an emergency situation of huge proportions. 

God bless,

Corinne

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Devotional
"Call to Prayer"

I was listening to K LOVE radio and a woman had called in about the Sunday message at her church. It was called "the call to prayer." There are many ways that we receive a call to prayer. Church bells chime the hour or even just before the service is to start. We set the alarm to get up in early enough to have time at the start of the day with prayer. In the Muslim areas the Muezzin climbs into the tower and sings a prayer that is broadcast by microphones to the surrounding area that it is time to pray. When I have been in Bangladesh I have so loved hearing that call. I use it to remind me to pray to the God I worship and know is The One. Many religions have ways of making a call to prayer.

Then there are the symbols of prayer. Some Christians have an open Bible that they read, meditate, and pray about. Other Christians pray with rosary beads. Muslims and Buddhists have beads...the list goes on an on according to whatever religious custom is followed.

It seems as though modern people with all the digital and electronic toys that they have hear a different call. In the morning the first thing that they do is to go to their toys to see what new thing is up. They (we) check it out and the result is that we spend time...for those who work the time is limited...catching up on all the news. Then they are off to work. They have not had enough time to spend with God in what is called a quiet time. Social Media has become our God.

I am not a saint, and sometimes I fall short. However, I am mindful of the importance of putting God first. There are times when I only "sneak a peak" so to speak. However, it is always my intention to spend time with God first thing, and give Him and me our time together. 

The word tells us...

Remind me each morning of your constant love, 

for I put my trust in you. My prayers go up to you;
 show me the way I should go.Psalm 143:8

How about a challenge? For one week promise yourself to leave the toys until after you meet with God, and appraise how that works in your life. I think you will like it, and I know God will like it.

Heavenly Father

Today help me to think of you as more important than anything in my life. Help be to give the first fruits of my day to You. I love you Lord.

Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is an uplifting graphic

for you to think about.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Prayers are lifted up daily for

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~