Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) 8 God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

On the second day of prayer and fasting, let’s take a moment to reflect on God’s grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favour towards us. It’s a gift, freely given, not because of anything we have done but because of who He is. Imagine a present wrapped in love and extended to you without strings attached. This is grace. We neither earn it nor deserve it, yet it is ours if we choose to accept it.

Our part in this divine exchange is belief. To believe is to trust and rely on God, acknowledging that our salvation comes not from our efforts but from His sacrifice.

Salvation, as described in these verses, is a gift, not a wage. It’s not something we work towards; it’s something we receive. This distinction is crucial. We often strive to earn approval or prove our worth, but salvation is freely given in God’s kingdom.

Since salvation is a gift and not a result of our deeds, we have no grounds for boasting. This is humbling and liberating. It removes the pressure to be perfect and the fear of not being good enough. Our worth isn’t based on our achievements but on Christ’s achievement on the cross.

A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:

Heavenly Father, today I want to express my gratitude for Your grace. Often, I overlook Your grace, for which I ask forgiveness. Help me to recognise Your grace more clearly in my life. Lord, please remove the blinkers from my spiritual eyes so I can fully appreciate all the blessings You have generously provided.

It is only through Your grace that I’m spared from eternal punishment and assured of spending eternity with You in heaven. Thank you for saving me from my sins and from Satan’s grip. Your death gave me a chance to live a whole and abundant life. I’m grateful for Your sacrifice.

Thank you for each new day of life. In the morning, help me to think of You first. At night, as I go to sleep, remind me of all You have given me that day.

Help me see Your gifts and say, “Thank You” in return.

Thank You for Your incredible grace. Without it, I would be lost. But with Your grace, I have so much to be thankful for today and every day. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray, Amen.

CLOSING THOUGHT:

Remember, church, our journey with God isn't about being perfect. It's about His perfect love and the grace He gives us. This should make us feel comforted, especially when we feel like we are not good enough.

God's grace isn't just there to save us; it's there to help us every day. It's in our doubts and in our happy moments. It's a reminder that we are never alone and that we are loved more than we can ever understand.

As we keep praying and fasting, let us try to be more aware of the grace God shows us. It can give us strength, make us thankful, and remind us of just how much God loves each of us.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES FOR REFLECTION:

James 1:17 (NLT) 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

John 10:10 (NLT) 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

2 Peter 1:2 (NLT) 2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Let these Bible verses inspire us to fully accept and cherish the Gift of Grace in our lives.