Good morning, Lord. Bits and pieces of Your Word are imbedded in my brain. Scripture influences me in ways I don’t even notice. It makes me a better person — kinder, wiser, more compassionate. Thus I should do more Bible study, memorize more verses, meditate more on their meaning. Teach me, fill me, O God!
Jesus had a way with words. Some of them have worked their way into the language of our culture.
Simple phrases spoken 2000 years ago, now used to describe
Even folks who don’t believe in Jesus know what they mean.
Good morning, Lord. What kind of seeds do I sow on a typical day? Where do I sow them? I want to sow good seed onto good ground (Matthew 13). Give me eyes to see beyond myself and spot the opportunities — the fertile ground of hungry hearts, strangers who need encouragement, friends in need of prayer.
Let me leave a trail of sprouting seeds, in Jesus’ name.
Jesus: Master of the short story. We call them parables.
Take the Parable of the Sower — read it for yourself in Matthew 13:3-9 — with the seeds on the path, on the rocks, among thorns and on good soil. In English (NIV), it comes in at eight sentences, slightly over 100 words. Simple, an easy read (3rd to 4th grade level), memorable. The meaning is clear and endures through the years and across cultures. Simple words with a big impact.
Matthew 13:23
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. 
Good morning, Lord. Here I am again, with my praise and my problems. And here You are, great and mighty God, listening to my thoughts and words. How amazing is that!
You created the world with words, You created us to think and speak with words, and You pay attention to my every word–my happy words, my angry words, my foolish words. Nothing I think or say surprises You. Nothing I think or say makes You stop loving me. I am speechless, filled with awe and gratitude.
“Teach us to pray,” they asked.
Jesus answered, short and simple:
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Ten lines, just over 50 words. 2000 years later, these simple words still teach us to pray.
Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I overthink things. Sometimes I overcomplicate my message. You call me to keep it simple–to trust You and tell others how good You’ve been to me.
Sometimes I strive for words that answer every question and solve every problem, when all You ask for is a smile or a kind word. Teach me to listen more (to You and to others) and think less about what I should say.
If you know me well, you know that I try to use simple words and short sentences. There are lots of Christian adults who struggle with reading. I want to make my message as easy to read as possible (like Habakkuk).
Habakkuk 2:2 (MSG)
And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run.
Half of American adults read below high school level. We don’t know how far below–folks tend to keep that information to themselves. For their sakes, let’s keep it simple. 
Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m proud of how much I know. Sometimes I’m ashamed of how much I don’t know. You, O Lord, don’t judge me by the depth of my knowledge, but by my spiritual maturity — how well I know Your Word and how much I apply it to daily life.
Teach me to view what I learn and know through the lens of Your truth. Fill me with both common sense and godly wisdom. Grant me “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Why study?
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Purpose of Education, 1947
2 Timothy 2:15 (MEV)
Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It’s more than book knowledge. Study to recognize truth and build character. Grow in wisdom and spiritual maturity.
