Night Prayer
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Inspiration
What does it mean to be pure in heart? Do being good and honest get us there? Despite our best efforts, pride finds a way to fill our hearts with selfish pursuits. But a heart that has been renewed by Jesus is a heart that seeks the Father’s will. And when we live in surrender to God, He shapes our will to His own. The more we pursue Him, the more He reveals Himself to us and through us.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for making me a new creation in You. Please purify my heart and mind so that my eyes may be opened more each day. Help me to conquer my pride so that I may know You more fully and see Your face. I give myself fully to You. 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.