Our mothers used to tell us to count to ten before responding in anger; that’s still good advice. In those moments when our patience is strained, when we’re exasperated, or when we’re particularly irritated or vexed, we could also try saying, “Come, Lord Jesus” or “Patience, please, dear Lord.” So, while we’re counting to ten, let’s be sure to count on God at the same time.
In Psalm 86, David calls out to the Lord saying he is poor and needy. At that moment in time, David felt poor and needy but it wasn’t because he was penniless. True poverty has nothing to do with finances; true poverty has to do with lack of faith. God will protect and save us when we have faith in him; He will be merciful and gracious to us when we reach out to him. God will bring joy to our lives if we trust him; He will forgive and love us because we cry out to him. He will hear us and answer us. There is no reason for us to be poverty stricken in God’s world. We are, indeed, rich!
Why do we so readily call upon God to help us find our lost keys or to ease traffic so we can get to an appointment on time, and not immediately turn in prayer to Him when there is an illness, a troubled relationship, or a family crises? Are we afraid he can’t handle the really big stuff? This is the God who parted the Red Sea and fed 5000 with a few morsels of food. All we need to do is cry, “Lord, help!”
I do not know much about God and prayer, but I have come to believe, over the past twenty-five years, that there’s something to be said about keeping prayer simple. Help. Thanks. Wow. [Anne Lamott, from “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers”]
God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Jesus to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do. [Ephesians 2:10 (GW)]Father in heaven, it seems like I’m always asking you to do something for me. Today, I ask what it is that I can do for you. To whom should I speak? For whom should I pray? What should I give? Who needs my help and what should I do? Give me a task and a cheerful and willing heart!
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
[St. Francis of Assisi]
Merciful Lord, we offer this prayer for those who are overwhelmed by their life’s difficulties. Take pity on them and heal their troubled souls. Encourage and empower them as they struggle with their problems. Reassure them of your unwavering love and renew their faith so they know you are with them at all times and in all places.
I enjoy working out and lifting weights. There is one exercise, however, that I dislike and avoid doing whenever possible: sit-ups. I abhor doing them, yet doing them is essential in order to have a strong core. So, begrudgingly, I do work on my abs (but not nearly as often or as enthusiastically as I should.) Confession is a bit like the sit-ups of our prayer life. It certainly isn’t pleasant and can even be a bit painful, yet it is an essential part of our daily faith regimen if we ever hope to grow spiritually strong.
Father guide us in our prayer lives so that we are willing to search our souls and exercise in honest self-evaluation and confession. Forgive us our sins; may your Holy Spirit lead us to be the people you want us to be.
Devotions of the Heart 