THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, July 14, 2023

Lord, when we pray, we naturally ask for your blessings. It’s just what we do, and that’s okay. Believers and non-believers call upon your kindness for blessings. At times, we ask with selfish motives. To be honest, Lord, I am guilty of asking for your favor with self-centered intentions. Forgive me.

The psalmist recognized this trait in himself and changed his motive when asking for your blessings. He must have left his message especially for me.

“Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.”—Psalm 119:17–18 (NLT)

Lord, you are a good and loving heavenly Father who delights in blessing his children. You see how flawed we remain, how we daily stumble in faith. That’s me! Could it be you bless us because your grace and mercy poured out upon your imperfect—yet forgiven—followers demonstrate your goodness to a skeptical world? Your goodness is meant to bring you glory, not fulfill my wish list. Do your will, not mine. Bless me that I may bless others.

You opened the psalmist eyes all right. He found doing life your way and ordering his actions according to your precepts brought you honor, and also benefited him. When he did things your way, life was better. Even when he could not see it, in problems and trials, your grace sustained him as he waited for you to work all things for his good.

Lord, I should pray as the psalmist. Purify my prayer motives so I may see your hand in all I do. May your blessings in my life honor you so I may bless others.

Amen, Jesus.