Devotion
The One who Knows our Every Need
David Jacobs
Watching a mother handle her young children is a beautiful sight to see. The children are energetic and bouncing, yet she is able to serve meals, avoid messy spills, wipe noses and mouths, tie shoelaces, and remind of her love with big hugs. In other words, she is able to meet the needs of the children.
If you and/or your family is anything like mine, the act of prayer has become repetitive. We say a quick prayer before eating, sometimes go to church and say quick prayers that we read off the bulletin, and overall any time that we pray it is of very little meaning or consequence. There is not an ounce of focus spent on the words and meaning of the prayer. It is almost like we are not even there. What do we want from these prayers? What are we asking for?
"Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him," says the Lord in Mathew 6:8. God wants us to communicate our problems with Him, but remember that we don't need to spend our entire time in prayer doing this, because God already knows our needs. He also knows the answer to our needs and is waiting for the opportunity to share it with us.
Prayer
Lord, hear the cries of my heart and know my needs. As you fulfill me and answer the prayers of my heart, let me now focus on you and being more like your Son. 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.
