Heart of Compassion

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Matthew 9:36-37 NIV

Father God, I often lack compassion. But as I read your word, and as I read about the character of Jesus, I read of his great compassion for those he encountered - and especially those who are lost. I want to be more like Jesus, and this means that my compassion must increase.

Father God, give me a heart of compassion.

Let it be. Amen.

My Heart Breaks

God, 

My heart breaks over the condition of the church today. 

My heart breaks over the conditioned in the church today. 

My heart breaks because the church has been conditioned to remain in a condition that does not exemplify the call that you have given to us.

My heart breaks because I don’t know what to do.

My heart breaks because sometimes I think there is nothing more that can be done.

My heart breaks because at times it feels as though you have called me to an impossible task. 

My heart breaks because I realize that I am a part of the condition that needs to be broken. 

My hearts breaks because I realize that my condition is one of uncertainty in you and pride in myself. 

My heart breaks because I know The Answer but I don’t have the solution. 

My heart breaks over the myself. 

My heart breaks over the conditioned in the church today.

My heart breaks over the condition of the church today.

Lord, 

Grant me peace.

Grant me patience.

Grant me love.

Grant me grace.

Amen. Let it be.

Psalm 51

Psalm 51:1-4, 7-12; "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my inquiry and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge...Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bone you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

A Life Of Holiness

Jesus, my Savior, my King, and my Lord,

Daily I claim that You are The One that rules my life. Daily I claim that I want to be more like You. Daily I claim that I was to live and love more like You. Yet daily I make decisions that prove the contrary. 

God, You called he Israelites to be holy as You are holy. Christ, You call all thise who desire to come after You - those who desire to be your followers and Your disciples - to pick up their cross and die to this life. 

I admit that I have let You down, Father. I confess that I have failed You Lord. I have forsaken my first love and forgotten the price that You paid for my soul. I have lost the joy of my salvation and caused others to stumble through my attitude and example. 

Forgive me, I pray.

Holy Spirit, remind me of Your presence all around me. Make me aware of Your power within me. Keep Your call to holiness ever before me. Focus my eyes on the path that you have called me to.

For this day forward, keep my mind on Your holiness. Let my eyes remain fixed on You. Let my ears stay tuned to Your voice alone. Let my mouth speak words that are pleasing to You. Let my heart be filled with love for You and for Your creation. And let my life bring glory and honor to You.

Amen, let it be. 

Called To Perfection

Father God, you call me to perfection - sanctification - in You. You call me to something that is far beyond what I can achieve on my own. I know that You call me to something that I an not achieve - can not attain - on my own so that I will seek You out in the desperate moments of life - moments when I am face-to-face with temptation and there seems to be no way out.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that no temptation will overtake me - only that which is common to man, and that You are faithful to me in these times - that You will not let me tempted beyond what I can bear - and that You will always provide a way so that I can stand up under the stress of these temptations that I am faced with.

Holy Spirit, fill me now. Do not allow temptation to have a grasp on me any longer. Fill me with the knowledge - like never before - that You are with me and that You have provided the strength I need to stand up under the temptations that I am faced with now - and the temptations that I will face throughout this day.

Jesus, let Your promises remain on my mind and in my heart. Lead me, once again into the perfect life that You have called me to live. When I am faced with temptation to sin, remind me that You expect me to obey You always.

Amen, let it be.

The Word of The Lord

God, Your Word states the Your Law - Your Word - is perfect and that it revives the soul (Psalm 19:7). I Lord, let Your Word be written in my mind and on my heart. Let Your Law, Your commands, and Your precepts never depart from me. Give me the wisdom to know Your ways and the strength to obey them. Great be me the respect I need for Your Word and everlasting joy as I live it out. 

Amen, let it be.