Prayer To Assess Our Motives As Well As Our Behaviour

 Motives

Day after day and news cast after newscast we read about the election in United States. To be able to trust a political leader to mean what they say and do what they promise is a longing many people hold but one which is seldom honored. In their debates and stump speeches candidates have a lot to say but voters rightly need to look at their record.

Jesus Christ has come to the world to be light, to show that truth could be revealed and displayed not just about our words and actions but about our motives. This is where goodness and safely is rooted.

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12:46

True freedom comes as we walk and live in truth. No pandemic restrictions can take that from us.

Loving God, again today we come to you because you have the words of life we need. You are the way Jesus, you are the truth, you are our life. We know that we live with denial and seldom see our own hearts clearly, and so we asked today that you would help us see ourselves and our motives as You see us.

People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.  Proverbs 16:2

We are grateful that you are a generous God. You never shortchange us but we are also thankful that you have mercy on us and forgive us for our many feelings. If we were left to what our own actions deserve, we would be in big trouble. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for forgiveness, cleansing, and an open door to the generous grace of God. It cost you dearly on the cross but is an amazing free gift to us today. We want to honour you by receiving all the Holy Spirit wants to do in us today.

I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.  Jeremiah 17:10

With the writer of the songs today we pray,

Examine me Oh Lord, and try me. Test my mind and my heart.  Psalm 26:2

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.  Psalm 139:23-24

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, all Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:12-14

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.

Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.  Psalm 51:7-13

God promises us that “if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”  1 John 1:9

So that’s the joy and lightheartedness we walk in today.  We are cleansed.  We are open to the voice of the Holy Spirit to show us our hearts and to have that translated into right thoughts and behaviours.