Night Prayer
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Inspiration
To be more like Christ, we must seek the mind of Christ. The more we think like him, the easier it will be to live for him and emulate him. And what is the mind of Christ? It is the mind that chooses humility over pride, and service over demands. His is a mind that regards others with love and seeks opportunities to dispense grace and mercy.
Prayer
Father, You are wise and loving. I ask that You grow me in the knowledge of Your ways, so that I may serve You more faithfully. As I meditate on Your word and the example of Jesus, help me to discern the mind that compels his humble acts of love and grace. Work in my thoughts, so that I might conform my mind to Yours. 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.
