Night Prayer
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Inspiration
In this life, we may experience seasons of abundance and scarcity. We may have needs one day and excess the next. So our contentment should not depend on our ever-changing circumstances. Lasting contentment comes from our unshakeable God, who is faithful in all seasons of life. Our strength, peace, and joy come from Jesus, who is greater than our trials and worth more than our riches.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times that I have pursued contentment in worldly comforts, or envied others in my times of need. In You, I find all the strength I need, and You have proven Your faithfulness many times over. You have sustained me through scarcity and humbled me in excess, and reminded me that in You alone I am fully satisfied. 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.