22 Jul: Pray First
We can come to stand in your presence . . . We can cry out to you to save us. 2 Chronicles 20:9
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:5–12, 15
In the late 1800s, Minnesota farmers faced five straight years of grasshopper swarms that tore through their fields. They tried everything—trapping the insects in tar, setting fires to burn up the eggs before they could hatch. None of it worked. With crops failing and hunger closing in, people across the state asked the governor to call for a day of prayer. He agreed, and April 26 was set aside for the whole state to pray together.
A few days after that, the weather turned warm and the grasshopper eggs began hatching. Then, just four days later, temperatures dropped again—unexpectedly—and the cold killed off the young larvae before they could do any more damage. That year, Minnesota farmers brought in their corn, wheat, and oats after all.
There’s an older story of prayer saving God’s people too, from the reign of King Jehoshaphat. Word came that a massive army was marching against Judah, so Jehoshaphat gathered the people to pray and fast. They recalled aloud how God had rescued them before. Jehoshaphat told the people that no matter what trouble came—sword, plague, or famine—they would cry out to God, confident He would hear them and act (2 Chronicles 20:9).
God turned back the armies that threatened His people then, and He still listens when we bring Him our troubles now. Whatever’s weighing on you—a strained relationship, a threat you can’t control, anything at all—bring it to God in prayer. There’s nothing He can’t handle.
By: June Morton
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Reflect & Pray
How has God answered your prayers? What situations in your life or in the world could you commit to Him today?
Creator God, You made the world and all that’s in it. Please restore order and save Your people, whom You love.