Impressive prayers

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. ~ Ecclesiastes 5:1 (NLT)

When you pray, using fewer words is often better than using more words. Some people actually think that God's response to our requests is tied to how long and how emotionally intense we can crank out the prayers. ~ Matthew 6:7 (ABP)

KEY THOUGHT:

Don't try to impress God with your prayers.

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for welcoming us into your presence. I get uneasy around you and feel like I need to fill every second of silence with an endless string of words. Help me to learn how to shut up and listen. I'm looking forward to simply being with you. Amen.

Solid and deep

But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah. ~ Genesis 6:8 (MSG)

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. ~ Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

KEY THOUGHT:

Sink your roots deeply into Christ and your life will stabilize.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank you for new life. I admit that I am too satisfied with shallow roots. I want everything to be easy. So, please push me to sink deeper roots into your being. I want to have your life flowing up into me. That's the way that I will become a stable person. Amen.

Among the people

The Lord said to Moses: All the people among whom you live shall see the work of the Lord. ~ Exodus 34:10 (CEB)

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people. ~ Matthew 4:23 (CEB)

KEY THOUGHT:

Jesus is revealing the work of God to people everywhere.

PRAYER:

God, thank you for revealing your power -- your love -- yourself -- to ordinary people. Forgive me for limiting my evangelistic concern to people who are just like me. Help me to find ways to share your good news among all who cross my path. I'm going to join you in revealing your healing power. Amen.

Fairness

And it doesn’t matter if one is helpless and the other is powerful. Don’t be afraid of anyone! No matter who shows up in your court, God will help you make a fair decision. ~ Deuteronomy 1:17 (CEV)

God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. ~ Matthew 7:2 (CEV)

KEY THOUGHT:

Treat others with extreme fairness and God will do the same for you.

PRAYER:

Merciful and gracious God, when I am quick to judge, slow me down. Give me patience and wisdom to listen to diverse views and the courage to face strong opposition. Then, when it comes time to make a judgment, fill me with your grace and mercy. I am grateful your judgment is imparted with great measures of love. Amen. (Daily Texts, Mount Carmel Ministries edition)