Praying for others
Ah the lessons that we learn, I have been praying for years for my family and to be honest, my most frequent request of the lord for them is not that he would bless them, give them lots of money, keep them safe or even that they would do well in all that they put their hands too.
No, I have cried out to God that they would come to know him in a deep and personal way, that their hearts would be whole heartedly devoted to him, and that his perfect will be done in their lives.
It might seem strange to hear that that is my deepest hope, wish and desire for them, but truthfully, I have personally learnt that if you do not know God in a deep and personal way, it is hard to walk in a way that would please him and it is easy to find yourself in a pit of sin and destruction.
Now, it is not to say that I do not want the very best for them, I absolutely do, and I do throw those prayers in there for them, but I know that a heart that beats for God is a heart that is at peace, filled with joy, knows contentment and is filled with wisdom.
I know that when their hearts are set on the course that God has for them, they will be blessed in all that they do, that they will choose righteousness over evil and wisdom over foolishness.
I know that they will be kind and compassionate to those around them and show the love of God to the world. I know that they will make a difference in people’s lives as well as in the world around them.
I know that if their hearts are set ablaze for the things of God, that even when the road gets rough, which it so often will, they will be equipped to handle it. They will know how to pray and ask for the lord’s help, instead of stubbornly and pride fully trying to do it all on their own.
They will learn from their mistakes and use it as character development instead of just ignoring the lessons and letting themselves get into a compromising position again.
I know that if their hearts are devoted to God, that they will be generous with their time and their money, and that when they see needs they will quietly fill them, not needing the whole world to know what a good deed they have done.
I know that when their hearts are set ablaze, they will stand up for righteousness, defend the week and even if they are attacked for their stand, they will do it willingly due to their devotion to God.
I know that when their hearts are lost in God, they will not be tempted to have other gods that will draw them away. Things that would occupy their time and that would make their hearts grow cold towards God.
Therefore, I feel, that even though the answers to my prayers for my loved ones might not look like I think that they should, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that there is no place on earth, where they will be happier, safer and more secure, than in the loving arms of their Savior Jesus Christ.
The lord promises that he will strengthen those people whose hearts are devoted to him, Yes that is what I want for my loved ones, I want them strengthened in the lord, made wise through walking in the fear of the lord and have lives that spill out the goodness of the lord to all whom they encounter. Yes, this is what I want for my family.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
What a grand promise that the lord gave to us, that he will strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him, Thank you lord.
So, if you might have been afraid to commit your own heart to the lord fully, I want to encourage you today, that you will never regret it if you did. He is faithful with his promises, he is able to keep you and even if the situations in your life, look like they are out of control, or too overwhelming, when we commit ourselves to him, he promises to fight for us, to deliver us, and to give us the wisdom that we need to navigate through difficult situations.
If you would like to make a commitment to the lord today and desire to have a heart that is whole heartedly committed to him, it is simple.
All you need to do, is ask him.
Yes it is that simple. Ask him for not only a heart that is undivided, but the ability to have a fresh passion for him rise up within you.
Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
My prayer for you today, is this
Father, you are the king of kings and lord of Lords, the creator of all that we see with our eyes, and the things unseen. You created each one of us, with a God sized hole in our hearts so that we would turn to you and desire to know and walk with you. Lord God, I pray for my brothers and sisters today, that you would fill them with a renewed passion for you, that you will give them the desire to have a heart that is undivided, that choses you over things that would cause them to sin. Father I ask that they would learn to walk in a new way with you today, that you will fill their hearts with your spirit, and that from this day forward, they will come to know you in a deeper, whole hearted way.
I pray this in the precious name of Jesus
Amen.