When we bring our requests to God, do we come before Him with clean hands and a pure heart? Have we taken time to confess any wrong that is in our own hearts and then asked God to create a clean heart within us? God is a Holy God and hates sin because of the impact it has on His beloved children. Often when we petition God we think of the harmful things that others around us have done, or are doing, and request that God put those things right. When we pray we need to look at our own hearts first to ensure that our requests come from a desire to see God’s will done and compassion extended to others, rather from a desire to see them punished.
O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil. You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers. Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. (Psalm 5:1-7 NLT)
Because Jesus suffered our punishment for sin on the cross, we can boldly come before God and ask Him to act on our behalf. We can do this because we have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus and have turned our will and our life over to God’s care. Our Heavenly Father is constantly on the lookout to do good things for His children when their hearts are turned towards Him.
God said, “I am holy; you be holy.” You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. (1 Peter 1:16-17 MSG)
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Please help me take the log out of my own eye before I bring my requests to You in prayer. Create in me a clean heart that I might love others as You love me. AMEN
©2017 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources
Audio for Praying From A Pure Heart
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.