Good morning, Lord. No matter the time, no matter my mood, no matter my location, You listen to me. I don’t have to wait for You to finish something else, I don’t fear interrupting more important work, I don’t have to wait my turn.
The whole notion that You, Creator of the universe, have time for little ol’ me is amazing. You keep the world spinning, You hang the stars in place, and You care about the details of my life. I am astounded, humbled and grateful.
Later his week we’ll look at the four Ws of prayer. Today we’ll look at the how.
Prayer is a conversation with God. We speak to God with our words. He speaks to us through His Word (the Bible). But there’s more.
We pray in songs. Words thoughtfully sung to God are prayers.
Finally, we talk with God through our thoughts. He hears our silent prayers.
Psalm 139:2 (AMP)
You understand my thought from afar.
Likewise, God speaks into our thoughts. Recognizing His voice a learned skill–better with practice.
1 Peter 3:3-4 (KJ21)
When adorning yourselves, let it not be that outward adorning … of wearing gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price.
God treasures a meek and quiet spirit–which is probably why the world doesn’t.
Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
In God’s kingdom, meekness is high fashion.
Titus 3:1-2 (ASV)
… be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.
“All meekness.” Many Bible versions translate this as perfect courtesy.
Perfect courtesy? All meekness? To everyone?
O Lord, I fall short here! I want to do better. Show me when and how.
Jesus said,
Matthew 11:29 (JUB)
… learn from Me.
For I am meek and
lowly in heart …
Jesus, who held the power that spoke our world into existence, changed this world with His meek and gentle actions. Be like Jesus.
Good morning, Lord. Yesterday, I used words as weapons–sharp arrows I shot at someone else’s heart. Their words had pricked my heart, so I shot mine back. It’s a far cry from “do onto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Instead, I did to someone else as they did to me.
Forgive me, Lord. Forgive them. Help me forgive them too, in Jesus’ name.
We think of meek as a negative: a wimp, a doormat, a weakling who lets others take advantage of him.
God sees meek as a positive.
Psalm 37:11 (ESV)
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Moses, who spoke truth to pharaoh’s power, was no wimp.
Numbers 12:3
Now the man Moses was very meek.
I’ve heard meek described as someone who carries a weapon, knows how to use it, and doesn’t.
Blessed are those who don’t rush to use their weapons. 
Good morning, Lord. It’s not a question of “If I sin.” It is “When I sin,” because I will. When I sin, nudge my soul so I understand what I’ve done. Give me the courage to admit it–to You first, then to others. Give me eyes to see through my excuses, wisdom as to why I did it, and the will to confess it honestly. Thank You for mercy, forgiveness and grace.
“When we see the darkness of our sin, we fear the storm of your wrath. But just as in truth rain brings new life to the Earth, so you rain down mercy on our sinful souls, bringing forgiveness and peace.”
Gilbert of Hoyland (died 1172)
Abbot of Swineshead Abbey, Lincolnshire
Because of God’s grace and mercy, we are forgiven. We need not fear His anger.
