Motives and Intents

 

 

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

 

—Proverbs 16:2 (AMP)

 

 

 

 

 

All-Knowing LORD,

 

You alone know the truth about the motives and intents of my heart—so I ask You to show me my heart and help me to surrender all my ways to You. Make my heart Your Home!

 

Don’t allow me to deceive myself into believing that all my ways are clean and innocent—but help me to find the truth behind the reasons for what I do, so that I can more perfectly submit my thoughts, words, plans and actions to Your will for me.

 

Help me to live every moment of my life in willing obedience to the instruction of Your Word and according to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit—so that I can live an emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually healthy life of Truth.

 

Help me never to try to hide my impurity from You but openly come before You to confess and repent of my sin and ask You to change me by Your mercy, forgiveness and grace—fully aware that You already know every imperfection in me but love me anyway.

 

You alone know the truth about the motives and intents of my heart—so I ask You to show me my heart and help me to surrender all my ways to You. Make my heart Your Home!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Rejoice!

 

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

 

—Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Make me always mindful that You are near—for heartfelt knowledge of that truth will cause me to rejoice and will inform my every interaction with those around me.

 

Your Word instructs me to rejoice in You always—to make You my delight and to find my pleasure in You, no matter what my circumstances are, or what situations I may face—confident that You are always near to help me.

 

May my mindfulness that You are near also cause me to act with a gentle spirit toward others—unselfishly showing mercy, grace, patience, kindness, and making a loving allowance for the faults of others—while still standing up against all evil and injustice, and boldly speaking the truth in love.

 

Help me to remember that not only are You near to help, but that the time of Your return is also near—so that I will be ready and not be ashamed when I see You face to face.

 

Make me always mindful that You are near—for heartfelt knowledge of that truth will cause me to rejoice and will inform my every interaction with those around me.

 

This I pray in Your Most Holy Name, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Wisdom

 

 

 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

—James 3:17-18 (NASB)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me to allow that pure wisdom—which only You can give—guide me through every new day. And let me enjoy the harvest of right standing with You, as I plant seeds of love and peace wherever I go.

 

Grant that every choice I make today would flow from a pure heart—a heart that is after Your own heart.

 

Show me how to be peace loving—to seek out the paths of peace, rather than follow the ways of contention and division.

 

Let me handle others with gentle care and not insist on my own way, but yield to others, as long as it does not compromise my heart being yielded to You.

 

Help me extend mercy to others—just as I have been shown mercy—and do good things for the benefit of those around me, to bring You glory and to lead others to Christ.

 

May I sincerely treat all people with the same respect and honor that is due every one of Your unique creations—out of the knowledge that You love each one of us, both greatly and equally.

 

Show me how to be a wise peacemaker—not just a peacekeeper—by helping me plant seeds of the truth of Your Word into the hearts of those around me. Help me then water those seeds generously with love and grace.

 

Help me to allow that pure wisdom—which only You can give—guide me through every new day.  And let me enjoy the harvest of right standing with You, as I plant seeds of love and peace wherever I go.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for showing me that I don’t have to be afraid—for reminding me that You didn’t create me to be timid, or to act cowardly, or fearfully—but that the spirit You have given me is a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.

 

You have given me a spirit of power to resolutely face any trouble, opposition or obstacle with courage—since You have delivered me from any cowardice or timidity, by the strength of the Greater One who lives in me.

 

You have given me a spirit of love, both for You—which gives me the faith and the freedom to rise above any fear of man or circumstance—and for the souls of others—which gives me the desire and the power to compassionately reach out to my neighbor with truth and grace.

 

You have given me a spirit of a calm, and well-balanced, and sound mind, so that with that quietness of mind, I can remain peacefully disciplined—as I surrender control to Your Spirit and entertain only thoughts that are true and life-giving.

 

Thank You for showing me that I don’t have to be afraid—for reminding me that You didn’t create me to be timid, or to act cowardly, or fearfully—but that the spirit You have given me is a spirit of power, and love, and of a sound mind.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Waiting for You!

 

 

But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.

I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.

For I am waiting for you, O LORD.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.

—Psalm 38:13-15 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

O Lord my God,

 

When I feel threatened by others, when I feel offended, or I am falsely accused, keep me from being provoked into sin. Help me keep control of my mind, will, and emotions, as I wait in faith for You to answer for me.

 

Make me as if I were deaf to all the threats of others, as You remind me who I am in Christ. For I am Your dearly loved child, whom You have carefully and uniquely crafted according to Your perfect plans and purposes for me. You hold my life in Your hands.

 

By Your mercy and grace, let my mouth remain closed and my heart remain at peace—as if I cannot speak at all—until Your words fill my mouth with truth and grace, and love requires that they be spoken.

 

Help me to choose not to hear their unjustified attacks against me. For I know that their accusations are not about me but come from the brokenness of their own hearts—that their words are born out of their own hurts and not out of their hatred for me.

 

Never allow me to reply from my own understanding, but rather help me wait for You. For I trust You to answer and set all things right, according to Your perfect timing and purpose—as I remain surrendered and submitted to Your will for my life.

 

When I feel threatened by others, when I feel offended, or I am falsely accused, keep me from being provoked into sin. Help me keep control of my mind, will, and emotions, as I wait in faith for You to answer for me.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Show Mercy, Receive Mercy

 

 

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

 

—James 2:12-13 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Just and Merciful God,

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

Help me remember that the same law that sets me free—that moral law that sets all obedient followers of Christ free from the bondage of sin—is the law by which I will be judged.

 

For while I have been saved by grace through faith, the evidence of my having received that salvation is my obedience to Christ—which is the path upon which perfect freedom is found—and my ability to extend mercy to others, is a proof that I am walking out that salvation which the Gospel of Christ has provided.

 

Let the mercy that You have poured over me be reflected in me, to all those around me, through my obedience to Christ’s command to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. For therein lies the power to love my neighbor as myself.

 

May all my thoughts, words and actions be the evidence that I truly understand the depths of the mercy You have offered me—for I know I will receive mercy according to my willing obedience to extend that same mercy to others.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Show True Humility

 

 

 

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.  They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 
—Titus 3:1-2 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to take seriously my responsibility to submit to the government and its officers—as long as doing so does not violate Your commands.

 

Your Word commands me to be obedient—especially to Your Word and Your Spirit—and to be ready to do that which is good.

 

Your Word commands me to never slander anyone and to avoid quarreling—to speak only truth, with grace, in love.

 

Your Word commands me to be gentle with others, and to show true humility to everyone—not thinking more highly of myself than I ought to but living within the truth of who I am in Christ—with the knowledge that any good in me comes from You.

 

Help me to take seriously my responsibility to submit to the government and its officers—as long as doing so does not violate Your commands.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Stand Firm in the Faith

 

 

 

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

 

—1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

In these difficult and uncertain times, as I await the return of Your Son, Jesus, may I never let my guard down. May I always stand firm in my faith, be courageous and strong, and do everything You ask of me with love.

 

Help me to stay on guard—alert, aware, and ready to respond—to any attack of enemy, whether it comes as an overt threat, or a subtle attempt to deceive me and lead me away from what I know is true.

 

Help me to stand on the truth You have shown me in Your Word and refuse to exchange it for the so-called “wisdom” of this world—remembering that it is by faith alone, in Christ alone, that I am able to stand.

 

Make me fearlessly courageous and forever strong. As Your dearly loved child, never let me forget who I am in Christ. Keep me sensitive to Your Spirit and willingly obedient to Your Word, for my confidence and strength is found in You.

 

Cause grace and truth to coexist within my heart—in the purest form of love—and let my thoughts, words and actions be a God-honoring reflection of the love of Jesus Christ in me.

 

In these difficult and uncertain times, as I await the return of Your Son, Jesus, may I never let my guard down. May I always stand firm in my faith, be courageous and strong, and do everything You ask of me with love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Just Pretend to Love!

 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

 

—Romans 12:9 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving LORD GOD,

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

Keep me from the hypocrisy of only pretending to love others—from “loving” others out of impure motives that falsely promise to serve me well, but in the end leave me empty and far from You.

 

Out of a grateful heart for Your love for me, help me to love others as You do—with complete selflessness—putting the needs of others before my own selfish wants and desires, so that they might see Your love for them through me.

 

Like Christ, help me to fight passionately against all that is evil—wherever it may raise its ugly head—by always speaking truth, always giving grace, and always walking in His perfect love.

 

With Christ as my example, teach me to love others in Spirit and in Truth, to hate what is evil, and hold tightly to what is good—for You are the source of all that is good.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

In The Name!

 

 

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

 

— Colossians 3:17 ESV

 

 

 

Father God,

 

Help me to represent my Lord Jesus well this day—in my thoughts, words and actions—and may my life become a continual act of giving thanks, through Him to You.

 

As a grateful follower of Your Son, Jesus, let every aspect of my daily life reflect well on the One whose Name and Love I carry with me, into this dark and lost world. 

 

Let me ever be conscious of the impression that I leave with others, so that I would always show them the love of Christ—that they might be changed by the Christ they see in me, for Your glory.

 

Help me remember to speak only words of life, truth, love and encouragement to everyone that I encounter, both today and every day.

 

Help me always remain obedient to Your commands and submitted to Your authority—to depend on Your strength and remain in Your peace, serving You in all things with joy.

 

Let my life be an offering of grateful worship to You for all the gentle compassion, patient mercy, complete forgiveness, amazing grace, and unfailing love that You have poured out over me through Jesus Christ.

 

Help me to represent my Lord Jesus well this day—in my thoughts, words and actions—and may my life become a continual act of giving thanks, through Him to You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't Speak Evil!

 

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.  If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law.  But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you.

 

—James 4:11 (NLT)

 

 

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

Replace any critical spirit within me with a spirit of grace and truth.  Grant me the wisdom to discern truth in every situation—and as I seek after what is just and right, help me remain submitted to Your laws of forgiveness, kindness and grace.

 

Help me to capture and bring my every thought into obedience to Christ and His character, as revealed in Your Word—so that any word I speak would be true and useful to bring encouragement and unity between myself and others.

 

And if I ever feel offended by someone, keep me from sharing that offense with others.  Rather, help me always to go directly to the offender to express my complaint against them—in humility, with kindness and love—so that understanding can come, our relationship can be restored and strengthened, and the enemy’s plans to bring division between us can be stopped.

 

Help me never speak evil against my brothers and sisters—never say anything about someone which would hurt them or defame their character in the eyes of someone else—as I choose instead to live by Your law of love.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Just Love!

 

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD.  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’  The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  No other commandment is greater than these.  —Mark 12:29-31 (NLT)

 

 

 

Dear LORD God,

 

Oh, that I could more perfectly return to You that same love with which You first loved me—and then actively love others in the same way that I love myself!

 

Help me to make room within my heart, so that You can fill it completely with Your love—that love that overwhelms me and consumes my soul—so that I would never miss any opportunity You give me to participate with You in loving those around me.

 

Help me to avoid the trap of believing that there could ever be anything more important than these all-inclusive commands—commands that are not restricted by time or place, commands I should follow no matter where I may find myself.

 

Just as You have loved me, help me to love others well—with that same compassion, patience, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and grace that You have shown me—by willingly and obediently reflecting Your love for them in all my thoughts, words, and actions.

 

Oh, that I could more perfectly return to You that same love with which You first loved me—and then actively love others in the same way that I love myself!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My LORD and My King

 

 

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

 

—Judges 21:25 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

My LORD and My King,

 

May You remain forever my only LORD and King, so that the way I conduct my life will be according to Your Truth and not according to my own opinion.

 

Help me to seek Your perfect will, rather than my selfish will; Your eternal plans, rather than my fleeting plans; Your righteous desires, rather than my corrupt desires; and Your pure motives, rather than my sinful motives—so that my heart would be fully Yours and I would reflect the character of Christ.

 

Keep me from the chaos that comes from deciding for myself what is right and what is wrong—based on my own limited and flawed intellect and perspective—and give me the faith to trust You for the best answers, knowing Your intellect is infinitely beyond my own and Your perfect perspective is limitless.

 

As I commit to obediently follow Your instructions—as revealed to my spirit by the Holy Spirit through Your Word—let my actions reflect Your standards for morality, mercy, forgiveness, grace, justice, truth, and above all, love.

May You remain forever my only LORD and King, so that the way I conduct my life will be according to Your Truth and not according to my own opinion.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.