A prayer of authenticity

I have come to understand that my most 'effective' prayers are usually my most honest outbursts. I feel that God delights in our authenticity, because it means we are being our true selves before His throne. How hard (or easy) is it for you to be fully authentic before the Lord?

Psalm 31:23 - Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.

"Eternal God, you have been the hope and joy of many generations, and who in all ages has given people the power to seek you and in seeking to find you. Grant me, a clearer vision of your truth, a greater faith in your power and a more confident assurance of your love. Amen." - John Baillie 

Living in Grace

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In God's Hands

 

As we have come to the end of 2018 and the dawn of 2019, I quickly turned to Psalm 31 to see if there was any message for us from the words of King David. And this is what I discovered - lovely words of renewal and recommitment for each one of us.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit." - v.5

"But I trust in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;" - v.15

"Be strong and take heart,
    all you who hope in the Lord." - v.24

I pray that these words will guide you, nourish you and encourage you as you begin the new year. Let us seek to place all "things" into the Hands of the Almighty God.

Living in Grace
D3LM3 

31 - Into your hands

We are familiar with the words of Jesus when he says: "Into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46). What we may not be familiar with is where the words come from. There is every chance that they come from Psalm 31, as Jesus knew the Psalms backwards. He would have recited them over and over again, so he knew the sentiments of each Psalm clearly.

Psalm 31:5 - I entrust my spirit into your hand.
    Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. (NLT)

"I’ve put my life in your hands. You won’t drop me,
    you’ll never let me down." (Message)

"Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God." (NIV)

I believe that we can also pray these words - they are a sign of surrender and submission to Jesus.  Have you done this today? Our journey towards Easter is a daily journey in surrender and trusting in the character of Christ.

Prayer: "Lord, I choose to place my life, my spirit, my all, into your hands today. Amen."

Living in Grace
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