Daily Devotion

“Pastor Ding Limei (1871–1936) always laid great emphasis on prayer and always carried a little notebook with him. In the last two years of his life, stricken with liver cancer, he stayed at home and gave his time to prayer and writing, praying earnestly for the church and for all people. At his death there were three such notebooks, holding the names of some five thousand people for whom he had prayed individually.”

Yading Li, Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity (BDCC) · "Ding Limei," Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity (bdcconline.net), based on Scott W. Sunquist, ed., A Dictionary of Asian Christianity (Eerdmans, 2001), 244–245

Scripture

1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and for all those in authority, so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness.

Reflection

Pastor Ding Limei lived out the commandment to "intercede for all people" with his life. His prayer notebooks held some five thousand names, and he prayed for each person by name. In contrast, our own prayer circles are often too narrow, mostly limited to our own needs or close personal relationships. God does not show favoritism, and Christ's love knows no borders or class divides. Today we must examine ourselves: Is my heart open to those of different status, even complete strangers? Only when we are willing to transcend indifference and prejudice, bringing people one by one to the throne of God's grace, can our lives truly reflect the vast, selfless mercy and love of Christ.