Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young.
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Delightful Lord,
Help me not to think of prayer as a chore. Instead, I want to view it as communicating with the One I adore—You!
Delighting myself in You draws me into sweet communion with You. I like to spend time thinking about all You are to me and all You do for me. The Bible gives me amazing assurances: You take great delight in me, and You love me with perfect, everlasting Love. As I rest in Your Presence, may Your tenderness embrace me—convincing me that I am indeed Your beloved.
I rejoice in knowing that You will never let me go!
An easy way for me to start talking with You is to thank You for being my Savior-God and beloved Friend. I can also give You thanks for things that are happening in my life, in my family, and beyond. These prayers of thanksgiving connect me with You and ease my way into other types of prayers.
I can talk with You freely because You understand everything about me and my circumstances. Since You paid the full penalty for all my sins, I know You never reject me. So I am free to pour out my heart to You—trusting in You, my Refuge.
In Your redeeming Name, Jesus, amen.
Psalm 37:4; Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 118:28 HCSB; Psalm 62:8
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Wonderful Counselor,
I know that You understand me far, far better than I understand myself. So I come to You with my problems and insecurities, seeking Your counsel. In the Light of Your loving Presence, I can see myself as I truly am: beautifully clothed in Your flawless righteousness. Even though Your righteousness is perfect, I realize I will continue to struggle with imperfections—mine and others’—as long as I live in this world. But Your Word assures me that my standing with You is secure.
Nothing in all creation will be able to separate me from Your Love!
Because You’re such a great Counselor, You help me recognize truth and live according to it. So I can be honest and open when I bring You my concerns. The Bible tells me that knowing the truth will set me free, and Your wonderful counseling is freeing me from sin and shame.
Lord Jesus, You are teaching me to delight myself in You above all else. I rejoice that You really are the deepest Desire of my heart. Please keep me close to You—joyously aware of Your loving Presence.
In Your joyful Name, Jesus, amen.
Isaiah 9:6 NASB 1995; Romans 8:39; John 8:32 NLT; Psalm 37:4 NASB 1995
Excerpted with permission from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young, copyright Jesus Calling Foundation.
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Your Turn
You can be honest today in prayer to God. He listens. He understands. And, He delights in you. Delight in Him as you share everything that’s on your mind! ~ Devotionals Daily