If one thing sets a pray-er apart, it's got to be their love for God's word. David wrote in the first chapter of Psalms, that such a person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. If you plan to pray effectively and grow in your Christian faith, then you need to spend as much or even more time in God's word than you do in prayer.

Joshua knew something about pressure. He and Caleb were two of just a few who survived the desert and were about to enter the Promised Land. They knew they were not able to defeat the giants in front of them, but they were both united in faith that God could. They were not content to stay where they were when God said his blessing was up ahead.

You're facing a new year today and you might be feeling a lot of pressure right now. The giants you face may seem much larger than you can handle on your own. Good; that means you probably won't try to defeat your enemies alone but may be persuaded to allow God to do it through you.

Faith begins when we believe God is larger and more powerful than any problem we'll ever face. Confidence comes with being in the right position and victory can be expected as we advance to claim His promises.

For this, the first day of the new year, it's my prayer that we look ahead and ask God to strengthen our spiritual root system by shining on us with the light of His word and watering us with a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit.

1. Pray Through the Word - A year of devotionalson the subject of prayer by James R. Green ( Josh 1; Ps 1)
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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