Job 1.20–22
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head
and fell on the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.”
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Prayer is a sign of my weakness. It’s an admission of my emptiness and neediness. It’s a recognition that apart from Christ, I know that I can do nothing (John 15.5); I am lost, and I am unable. But prayer is also a sign of my faith; an admission of the fullness of Christ and the spiritual blessings He has made available to me (Ephesians 1.3, 2 Peter 1.3). It’s also a recognition that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4.13).
Prayer is our openness
about our needs before God,
our emptiness in His presence,
our absolute dependence upon Him
with an attitude of constant
thanksgiving and complete trust.
-Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Prayer is a place of freedom. I can openly and unashamedly admit my many weaknesses, faults, sins, shortcomings, and my inability to have what it takes to live the life I have been called to. There is no shame in prayer, even when I bring my sin to God. I go to Him with my deepest need, because I know that He can satisfy those needs. I go to Him with my deepest weaknesses, because I know that in my weaknesses I find the strength of God (2 Corinthians 12.10).
Prayer is finding the way to God
and speaking with Him,
whether your heart is empty or full.
No one can do that by himself.
We need Jesus Christ to do that.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Prayer is so interesting, because in my weaknesses and failures, prayer is intimidating because I feel I first need to get my act together before I go to God. I can often feel ashamed or embarrassed. But it is actually these weaknesses that make prayer so amazing. I don’t go to God in my own strength and righteousness, but I can go to Him because of Jesus’ strength and righteousness. This is, in part, what it means to acknowledge that I can only pray “in Jesus’ Name.” Apart from being in Christ, I cannot pray, at least not truly. Christ alone has continual access to the Father, and in Him, I do as well.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Job 1.20–22
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 27.1–8
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
5 He will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me
under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pray Aloud:
Father, help __________ to
glorify You in every way.
Reveal Your beauty in _________
as it is in Heaven.
Give _________ daily bread,
and thank You
for Your undeserved mercy.
Help us to forgive others.
Keep __________heart soft for You,
for Your Word, for prayer,
and for those that You put in their life,
that they may keep their heart
from evil and sin.
Thank You for Your grace and mercy.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Click Here to Have These Devotionals
Sent to Your Phone Daily
(U.S. Residents Only)
