October 20th
OCTOBER 20th
Sometimes (often) we get so caught up in the physical circumstances of things that we forget the important matters. Parent’s cry and pray about their childrens’ bad choices, spouses/friends pray that their friend or spouse quits making bad decisions or poor choices or whatever. One of our problems with being humans not filled with the Holy Spirit is that we see with our physical eyes, ignoring the nudge of the Holy Spirit to see the real issue.
The poor choices, wrong decisions, bad behavior, selfishness, etc. and the consequences of those things are just the symptoms of a sick heart. Praying that those symptoms go away is like trying to put a bandaid on the problem while not fixing the problem. The goal in medicine (not that it is actually done this way) when possible, is to treat the problem not the symptoms. We can treat the edema (swelling) and sometimes the shortness of breath when someone has heart failure, but that doesn’t fix the heart. What they need is a heart transplant.
That is what we should be praying for…for a heart transplant/change in ourselves and our loved ones who are making bad choices and not walking with Jesus.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
Luke 16:15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”
Romans 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
So for that person that you are praying will stop doing the things that are hurting them and others, start praying for their heart. Pray for their heart to soften and turn toward Jesus. Pray for their heart to be healed from the brokenness. Pray for their heart to recognize the kindness of God and the lies of the enemy. Pray for their heart to be awakened. Pray that God will pour His Holy Spirit out on them and that their heart will receive God’s plan for them. Pray that the eyes of their heart will be opened.
Ephesians 1:18-19a I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Lord, thank you for considering my heart not my outward appearance. Help me to remember that when I get frustrated with external circumstances. Help me to pray for my loved ones hearts instead of just the circumstances or bad behavior. Lord turn their hearts towards you and me and turn my heart toward you and them. Help me to know how to pray. Holy Spirit teach me to pray as needed, not as I feel. Help me to join you against the enemy in the battle over their hearts.