Daily Prayer
November 2
Opening Yourself to the Heart of God
Rev. Jennifer Collins
Like this flower has yet to fully blossom, our journeys of blossoming into who we are meant to be are a constant work in progress. We vacillate between being closed, partially open and fully open to our Lord based on many factors.
As you begin this time of prayer, reflect on where your heart is and consider opening yourself, more fully, to the Lord.
Adoration
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Psalm 145:3 (NIV) “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”
Offer your personal praise to Him.
CONFESSion
Observe the flower bud beginning to open and how this parallels the risk you take to open your heart to our Loving Father as you offer Him your confessions.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalm 145: 8-9 (NIV) “The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
Thanksgiving
Just like this Dipladenia flower becomes more fully open, consider opening yourself up to the greatness of our God. Even in the midst of this current season, we have much to be thankful for. The Lord is a tender and gracious God, present with us no matter what we are going through.
Offer your words of thanksgiving to Him.
Psalm 9:1 (NASB) “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NASB) “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
Supplication
For some, this has been a very disappointing year. For others, it has been a year of change & opportunity; opportunity for refining/growth. For some, doors have been shut (not necessarily on your own doing), while for others, new doors have swung wide open-doors unimaginable. In his devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers says, “A journey of faith means loving and knowing the One who is leading you yet it does not mean you will always have understanding. A journey of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles’ wings, but is a life of day-in and day-out consistency; a life of walking (without fainting.)”
Whether in a pandemic or another crisis, may you continue to open yourself fully to the Lord, much like these Dipladenia flowers. Offer your supplications to Him knowing He cares and hears the cries of your heart.
Psalm 6:9 (NASB) “The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord receives my prayer.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Go in Peace-To Love and Serve the Lord-Thanks be to God.
Amen.
