Spiritual Warfare: 'Do Good: Be Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful'

God's Power for Our Battles — Friday, December 25, 2026

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, forgive me for treating others the same way they have treated me instead of treating them as I WANT to be treated. Help me to be filled with joy and hope. Help me to never give up on prayer-even when it seems like Your answers will never come. Give me faith to endure with hope. And help me to be thankful even for my trials and problems-especially since the things I usually learn from them end up helping me at a future date with an even bigger issue. You are in control, Lord, and I trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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"Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
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How can we really do this? David Bratton shares with us some important ideas about praying without ceasing and obeying, honoring, blessing, and working for the justice that blesses God.
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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 NLT — See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 25, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Amos 5:14-15
"Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the..."
Praying with Paul
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'God's Righteous Judgment' (Ro. 1:32)
"Dear Father, righteous judge, Who could argue against your righteous judgment? Who would claim that those who refuse to see truth should not be left...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Rejected!' (Jn. 1:10-11)
"[Jesus, the Word] came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Why am I Discouraged?' (Ps. 42:11)
"Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!"

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

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