Not You First, But You Only

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold,
    shaped by human hands.

They have mouths but cannot speak,
    and eyes but cannot see.

They have ears but cannot hear,
    and noses but cannot smell.

And those who make idols are just like them,
    as are all who trust in them.

—Psalm 135:15-18 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me not to worship anything—or anyone—but You.

I don’t want to allow myself to count on things made with human hands to save me.

I want to count on You—the One who created all there is by the power of Your Word.

I don’t want to worship something that cannot speak to me.

I want to worship You—and listen to hear You speaking to me through Your Word and Your Spirit, in every moment of every day.

I don’t want to look to something that cannot see what I am going through.

I want to look to You—the One who is personally acquainted with every trial I face.

I don’t want to cry out to something that cannot hear or help.

I want to cry out to You—the One who patiently and compassionately waits for me to cry out for help and is ready and able to supply all my needs.

I don’t want to trust in something that cannot sniff out trouble coming my way.

I want to trust You—to smell the stench of evil coming and warn me by Your Spirit, so I can avoid the disaster of succumbing to temptation.

I don’t want to become like those things I am tempted to put in front of You—powerless and unable to speak, see and hear the truth, and unable to smell trouble coming and avoid it.

I want to be empowered by You—to become more like Your Son, Jesus.

I don’t want to make You first among other things I am tempted to make objects of my worship.

I only want to worship You—and none other, but You.

Help me not to worship anything—or anyone—but You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Boldly Coming

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

—Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

Gracious and Merciful Heavenly Father,

Thank You for making a way for me to come before Your throne—and find Your mercy and grace waiting for me there.

Help me to fully comprehend the greatness of the sacrificial gift that Your Son, Jesus, made for me, to make that possible—so that I might give You the respect and reverence that You deserve.

Help me to fully embrace the truth that my righteousness is provided through Christ alone—so that I might come boldly and confidently before You in those times that I need You most.

Help me to fully overcome those thoughts that would come against the truth and would tell me that I don’t deserve to come before You—so I can see that those are the very times that I need to come before You most, to receive mercy for my sin and grace to move forward in the plans You have for me.

Help me to fully honor who You are and what You have done for me, by fully living as You intended me to live—so I can come before You with respect and reverence, and boldness and confidence, as Your beloved child.

Thank You for making a way for me to come before Your throne—and find Your mercy and grace waiting for me there.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

This Foreign Land

I am only a foreigner in the land.
    Don’t hide your commands from me!

—Psalm 119:19 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Reveal to me the truth of Your commands, so I can find my way through this foreign land—both accomplishing Your plan for me here and finding my way home to You.

This earth is not my home.  But while I am here I want to be used to bring glory to You. 

I ask that You would open up the truth of Your Word to me and reveal to me the depths meaning that are found in Your commands, so I can walk in the safety, provision and protection of Your instructions and not find myself lost in a world that would destroy me.

Help me not to wander aimlessly on this earth, but with attention to Your directions, follow the perfect path that You have planned for me from before time began.

Reveal to me the truth of Your commands, so I can find my way through this foreign land—both accomplishing Your plan for me here and finding my way home to You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.