Morning and Evening Devotional with C.H. Spurgeon – May 24, 2026

Morning Devotional for May 24, 2026

“Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer.” — Psalm 66:20

In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance—as the Pharisee did—but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if he could retrace his steps he would desire to pray more earnestly. Remember, Christian, how cold thy prayers have been. When in thy closet thou shouldst have wrestled as Jacob did; but instead thereof, thy petitions have been faint and few—far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, which cries, “I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” Yet, wonderful to say, God has heard these cold prayers of thine, and not only heard, but answered them. Reflect also, how infrequent have been thy prayers, unless thou hast been in trouble, and then thou hast gone often to the mercy-seat: but when deliverance has come, where has been thy constant supplication? Yet, notwithstanding thou hast ceased to pray as once thou didst, God has not ceased to bless. When thou hast neglected the mercy-seat, God has not deserted it, but the bright light of the Shekinah has always been visible between the wings of the cherubim. Oh! it is marvellous that the Lord should regard those intermittent spasms of importunity which come and go with our necessities. What a God is he thus to hear the prayers of those who come to him when they have pressing wants, but neglect him when they have received a mercy; who approach him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few. Let his gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may henceforth be found “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”

Morning Reflection

Beloved, what a mercy that the Lord has not turned away our prayers, cold and fitful though they have been. We come to Him with wandering hearts and feeble faith, yet He hears. This is not because our prayers are worthy, but because His lovingkindness is everlasting and His covenant sure. Let this truth stir us to more earnest, persevering prayer, trusting the Spirit to help our infirmities. The same God who answered when we barely asked will surely answer when we seek Him with all our heart.

Morning Nectared Goad

God has heard prayers you barely meant. He will not turn away the ones you now bring with fire. Come boldly. 🛡️

Evening Devotional for May 24, 2026

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” — Philippians 1:27

The word “conversation” does not merely mean our talk and converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and behaviour in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship: and thus we are commanded to let our actions, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, be such as becometh the gospel of Christ. What sort of conversation is this? In the first place, the gospel is very simple. So Christians should be simple and plain in their habits. There should be about our manner, our speech, our dress, our whole behaviour, that simplicity which is the very soul of beauty. The gospel is pre-eminently true, it is gold without dross; and the Christian’s life will be lustreless and valueless without the jewel of truth. The gospel is a very fearless gospel, it boldly proclaims the truth, whether men like it or not: we must be equally faithful and unflinching. But the gospel is also very gentle. Mark this spirit in its Founder: “a bruised reed he will not break.” Some professors are sharper than a thorn-hedge; such men are not like Jesus. Let us seek to win others by the gentleness of our words and acts. The gospel is very loving. It is the message of the God of love to a lost and fallen race. Christ’s last command to his disciples was, “Love one another.” O for more real, hearty union and love to all the saints; for more tender compassion towards the souls of the worst and vilest of men! We must not forget that the gospel of Christ is holy. It never excuses sin: it pardons it, but only through an atonement. If our life is to resemble the gospel, we must shun, not merely the grosser vices, but everything that would hinder our perfect conformity to Christ. For his sake, for our own sakes, and for the sakes of others, we must strive day by day to let our conversation be more in accordance with his gospel.

Evening Reflection

The gospel is simple, true, fearless, gentle, loving, and holy. Our lives are to reflect every one of these qualities. May the Spirit so conform us to Christ that our whole manner of life becomes a living sermon that the world cannot ignore.

Evening Nectared Goad

Your life is the loudest sermon you preach. Let it be worthy of the gospel that saved you. 🛡️

Tie-In

From morning answered prayer to evening gospel-shaped living — the same Lord who hears us also calls us to walk worthy of the gospel we profess. This is the daily rhythm of the Christian life: received grace that produces transformed conduct.

Valley of Vision Prayer

“Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights… Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart…” (adapted from “The Valley of Vision”)