GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
Personal PrayerPhilippians 4:13 (NIV)
Jane Strickland authored this issue’s devotional. She served the Lord alongside her late husband, Walton, for 45 years.
Prayer is the heart’s communication with our loving Lord. It doesn’t require special words, patterns, positions, time or place. It simply requires participation. If Jesus, God incarnate, felt the need to go away alone to be strengthened and renewed by his Heavenly Father, surely, we need that same strengthening and renewal.
Many years ago, I was Christmas shopping in a huge discount warehouse with my two-year-old son. The counters were piled high with toys of every description. He was spellbound by this treasure trove. He let go of my hand, and as he drifted around the corner of the counter, he suddenly realized he could no longer see me. He cried out in fear, and I immediately retook his hand. Though he could not see me over the clutter of toys, he was never out of my sight nor more than a few inches away.
How wonderful it is to know that we are never out of Jesus’ sight, even when the “treasure trove” or clutter of our lives distracts us. He knows our needs even before we know them ourselves, and he is able and willing to take care of us. In this fearful time, he is right here with us. When he was about to return to heaven, Jesus understood that his apostles were afraid. He already knew what they would be facing as they went about their daily lives and the enormous task he had given them. According to Matthew 28:20 (NIV), the last thing he told them was, “I am with you always.” Those words assure us today as well.
I have celebrated over 90 birthdays, but God is not through with me yet. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) says, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” I am assured that he will enable me to do my task.
If you are reading this, he is not through with you either! As long as he leaves us here, he has a task for us. He will take us home to glory to be with him when he is through with us on this earth. What a wonderful reunion that will be!
He lives in you and knows and treasures your voice; give him a call today.
Want more devotionals? Our 40-day devotional book written by our Mission:Dignity recipients is available to order here.
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Commentary
• Nov 11, 2025 