Carter Conlon | Daily Devotionals

When you lay your head on the pillow at night or wake up in the morning, there’s a persistent thought that enters your heart—the realization that your life is destined for something more than you thought it was. Even if your current circumstances seem great, this thought still lingers. 

Let’s take inspiration from the story of Nehemiah. He was focused on building a wall, but others tried to divert him to a different task. They attempted to distract him with good opportunities. However, Nehemiah understood his calling and responded to those who reached out to him, saying that he couldn’t leave his current mission because it was a great thing. He refused to settle for something merely good when he was called to do something extraordinary. 

Don’t settle for a good thing if God has called you to do something great in this world. Trust that His plan for your life is greater than anything you can imagine. 

It’s time to pray. 

1 Timothy 2:1“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” 

There are people out there, believe it or not, who are sick of sin, hopelessness, and addictions—sick of looking for entertainment, sick of being in the field eating pig’s food like prodigals. 

If you and I would have the courage to pray—not just some ambiguous prayer, but start naming people—people in your office, in your building, in your family, in your own house—asking God to move in their lives specifically, I believe we would stand in awe of how God answers those prayers. No matter where they are, pray that God would bring them into the kingdom so that they may have, as you do, eternal life. 

Do you believe that God is able to do this? I do. I believe it with all my heart. Do you believe it? 

For you and I, it’s time to pray. 

Acts 12:4-5“So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” 

Have you noticed that there is a death passing over this nation—a death to civility, unity, morality, and even a sense of well-being? God makes a distinction between a perishing society and His own people. Situations of captivity may seem hopeless, but God will cause His mercy to pass over His people once again. 

As we continue to stand in the gap through prayer, it’s time to cry out to God—not just when it’s convenient, but constantly. As the church did for Peter, God answered their prayer. He will answer ours. 

It’s time to pray. 

If you have the Spirit of God within you, you already have a deep conviction because God has planted it there. It’s the understanding that your life is meant for more than what you are today or what you envision for tomorrow. There is a greater purpose for your life, and you can feel it in your heart. You know that God has a plan for you—it’s like a longing He has placed within you. 

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with unspoken groanings, trying to align us with the will of God. This inner awareness runs deep within you. 

It’s time to acknowledge that God has a unique plan for your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and for His intercession to begin leading you. Let go of any doubts and limitations and fully embrace the calling He has placed within you. 

Talk to Him about it. 

It’s time to pray. 

David was anointed to reign, yet his middle story reveals profound struggles. In Psalm 18:4, he writes, “The pangs of death surrounded me.” 

Remember, this is the sweet psalmist, the beloved shepherd, and the future king of Israel. Just as David was destined to rule, we too are called to reign with Christ. When we receive Christ, the Spirit of God comes upon us, and the Bible promises that one day we will rule alongside Him. 

Like David, you are anointed. And just as he faced challenges, you will too. It’s time to trust God’s plans and remember that every struggle is part of your preparation to fulfill your purpose in Christ. 

God, give us the strength we need to make a difference in our generation. 

It’s time to pray. 

When the Israelites left Egypt, they knew they were destined to be a people with supernatural abilities, as promised to their ancestor Abraham. They were meant to bring God’s name to reputation through His power and presence. 

However, the first generation didn’t accept this calling. They ended up living and dying in the wilderness without fulfilling their purpose. In other words, they never became what God intended them to be. 

Today, my prayer for you is that you not only recognize and learn but also accept the truth. Accept the fact that God has a plan for your life that is greater than anything you can imagine. Let it go beyond mere understanding and truly embrace the fact that you are chosen to bring God’s name to reputation in our day. 

Take a step of faith and say, “I accept, God, that You’ve chosen me to bring Your name to glory through my life.” 

It’s time to pray. 

Acts 12:1-3“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” 

There is a rise of intolerance today toward those who hold to a biblical worldview. The arm of evil is rising up to attack the very foundation of the faith of those who profess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The devil would love to take down every voice that stands for Jesus. 

But I believe with all my heart that this is the most fertile time for a spiritual awakening. God wants us to stand on His word without hypocrisy or compromise. Take courage, my brothers and sisters. Proclaim the truth that will set the captives free, and never, ever be ashamed of the gospel. 

For you and I, it’s time to pray. 

Luke 22:40: Speaking of Jesus, “When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’” 

There are many things that are tempting this generation. The list is just too long to name, but in this moment, it wasn’t a temptation of lust or addiction that Jesus was referring to. The temptation for the disciples was to abandon the divine purpose that God had for each of their lives. 

Pray, Jesus exhorted them. Pray that you don’t quit. Pray that you don’t turn away when it gets hard and when you don’t understand what’s going on around you. Pray as Jesus did, that when the hour comes, it will not be your will, but God’s will that is done. 

Pray like the Apostle Paul, and you’ll know with confidence that your light and momentary afflictions are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in you one day. 

It’s time to pray. 

All around the world, the Holy Spirit is delivering the same message to the body of Christ—Jesus Christ is coming soon. Many people are beginning to believe that our generation will witness the rapture of the church and the return of Christ, especially now as we see the world unraveling quickly and insanity taking over. 

It’s truly incredible. I never thought I would live to see a day like this. After being in New York City for almost 30 years, the degeneracy of this society is mind-boggling. The changes that have occurred in just one generation are stunning. 

However, you and I must remember today that God has a plan, and this is the message I want to share with you—He has a plan, and we can rest in the fact that He is in complete control of all things. 

I want to encourage you today to believe it. Not only does God have a last-day plan, but you are part of it. 

It’s time to pray. 

Everyone has a middle story, and many of you are living in yours right now. 

You’ve moved past the initial romance phase of your new faith in Christ—just like a newlywed couple who initially overlook each other’s flaws. But over time, little habits, like socks on the bathroom floor, reveal areas that need growth. 

David, too, had a middle story filled with challenges. This phase teaches us to love God and trust Him as we face valleys and enemies in our lives. Even in tough times, remember that adversaries can only use what they have to serve the purposes of God in your life. 

Embrace your middle story. Recognize the growth that it offers, and trust that each challenge shapes you for a greater purpose. 

More than ever before, it’s time to pray.