Today I Pray

Good Morning Lord, Our Father In Heaven:

As I was reading this morning, one of the scriptures resonated with me, and it’s a perfect way to start a prayer, a day, and a new week.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Lord, we turn to you today seeking your guidance and your direction. Lord, when you ask us to humble ourselves, you aren’t asking us to lower ourselves to no self-esteem or self-worth, but instead, you are asking us to recognize our dependence on you and to sit at your feet in true honesty.

To seek your face as we look at ours in the mirror, not to observe the lines and wrinkles that appear more frequently each morning, but the us within. We turn to you for clarity in our misguided thoughts and actions, and your help realigns us with you.

You help us turn from our wicked ways! Wicked Ways sounds like something out of a horror story or movie, but you, Lord, are talking about our thoughts, judgments, attitudes, honesty, compassion, and, yes, what idols we may worship. No, not the carved wooded statues on the mantle or the Asherah poles of olden days, but money, status, fame, notoriety, self-importance, etc.

If we turn from these ways and turn to you, your word tells us you will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land! What a beautiful promise.

First, you will hear from heaven, assuring us once again that you are always there when we turn to you in prayer. Second, you will forgive our sins, freeing us from the invisible chains that bind us. And, third, you will restore our land; whatever we have lost due to carelessness, lack, or circumstances, you are there, you are always with us, and if we set our hearts on you and put our hope, faith, and trust in you, you will restore that and much more.

So this morning, we humbly sit before you, asking for your gentle, loving presence as we start our week, the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we speak, and your mighty strength as we walk.

In this prayer with thanksgiving, I commit in your beautiful name, Lord Jesus, Amen! 😌