Night Prayer
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Inspiration
Love for God and love for His people go hand in hand. Why? Because He loves His people. Our love for God will naturally flow into our love for the ones that He loves. But the reverse is equally true. Our love for God’s children will increase our obedience to God and His commands because God’s commands are designed to establish unity and community among His people.
Prayer
Father, I love You. And I thank You for calling me not only to Yourself but to this community of believers. Thank You for the people that You have placed in my midst through my family, my congregation, and my community. Help me to always see them as Your people, fully and unconditionally loved by You, so that in obedience to Your word, my love for them may increase. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
