Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Psalm 86:11-13 (CSB)
11Teach me your way, Lord,
and I will live by your truth.
Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.
12 I will praise you with all my heart, Lord my God,
and will honor your name forever.
13 For your faithful love for me is great,
and you rescue my life from the depths of Sheol.
The world we live in today is loud, but perhaps it has always been. Distraction is a tool the enemy has always used to pull our attention away from God. In honor and praise this psalmist asks God to teach him how to live wholly focused and in wholly reverent awe of God. We can ask God for help too.
When it seems impossible to quiet the noise of this world we can remember Psalm 86. It is a lament and a petition for help to follow God whole-heartedly. In our frustrations and distress we can, like David, remember the covenant love of God and His promise to mold and shape us as His children so that we can indeed worship the Lord with all our heart.
Does time with God ever feel like trying to kneel in focused prayer in the middle of a boisterous stadium crowd? With so many screens pinging for our attention, busy schedules, and endless daily tasks, moments alone with God can feel divided.
Teach us your way, Lord. The heart of every man and woman needs soul nourishment that only time with God can provide. And only the power of God can quiet the world around us. Holy Spirit fall on us and stir in us a pure heart. Today you and I can commit to a lifestyle of Jesus, at his pace and in his peace, when we surrender in obedience to live by His truth.
One day at a time we can praise and honor His Great Name forever. The Lord will never leave us or grow weary of our lacking. Instead, by His covenant love, God leads his children. He rescues us, redeems us, and teaches us how to worship—even in our distracted lives. A prayer for focus is a prayer for pureness of heart and we can take comfort in knowing God wants this for us too. In the beatitudes Jesus said, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God,” (Matthew 5:8).
You are not alone if you feel frustrated by worshiping God in the midst of noise and chaos, so today let us join with the hearts of God’s children asking Him for purity, focus, and fullness in our worship. He will rescue us from the depths of Sheol, these places that feel far away from God. Take heart, he has never left us for his faithful love for us is great. Don’t give up; just ask the Lord for help. We don’t have to settle for distraction–ask God today for a pure heart and undivided mind.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, you are deserving of my whole heart, mind, body, and spirit. Teach me your way, Lord. Give me an undivided mind so that I can purely focus on your awe and wonder and praise you with all of my heart. Rescue me once again by your unfailing love. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK
Isaiah 6:8
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”