SEPTEMBER 20
Here we go!
Today we are going to work on a new habit in prayer.
I love to pray verses of the Bible. Of course, we’ve been doing this over the last 19 days, but we have mostly been looking at verses that are prayers.
Today, I am going to take a verse from my time with Jesus this morning. I prayed through this verse much like I’m going to lead you today. It’s a little start/stop, so prepare yourself. I consider all of these different exercises to be tools, not rules. They can help you in many different ways. They are meant to liberate you and increase your faith!
I have a habit of reading through The Bible in One Year, and I’ve been doing this now for almost 13 years. Nicky Gumble, who is one of the founders of Alpha, has this amazing British accent, and just listening to his commentary just makes me feel closer to Jesus. It usually takes me about 18 months to get through, because I’ll take detours along the way. I might be drawn into a story or letter of Paul’s and spend a few extra days there. I might have some days where I just meditate on a small chunk of scripture (a.k.a. Lectio Divina).
One of my favorite practices is to pray a verse of the Bible into my life, with The Holy Spirit’s help.
Today, we’ll try this with a verse in Romans chapter 2. You may want to read the whole chapter, or even the first two chapters to get the context (Romans 1-2).
Romans 2:29:
“No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”
So, the change we are seeking is change of the heart, and this is something that only The Holy Spirit can produce in us.
So let’s start there. Let’s ask Him to change our heart today.
You might pray something like this…
“Holy Spirit, I am struggling with _________. I have tried to change myself, and it is not working. I’m sorry for thinking I can produce transformation in my own power. Would you please fill my heart with _______________ (pick a part of the Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-26).
Now, let’s look at the second part…
“And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”
When we make it our aim to please God, our lives are liberated. The voices of accusation and the need for approval from others are overcome by fixing our hearts and minds on pleasing God.
Let's pray…
“Father, today it is my aim to please you. I really do want to know the things inside my heart that don’t please you. Please show me. Today I choose to live for your praise, rather than the praise that comes from people. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I hope that helps. It’s important to know when reading the Bible that it’s not so much about how much of it you get through, as it is about how much of it gets through you.
Love you friend!
Have a great day.
Pastor Andy
P.S. Let me know below how God is answering your prayers!!
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“And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.” Thanks Pastor Andy, I needed this reminder today! I only seek God’s approval not mans worldly view of me. God loves me just the way I am. I say a lot of things as jokes and sometimes people take what I say literally. I wonder if God has a sense of humor and understands everything I say.
I needed this today. Thank you.
I became a Christian through Alpha when I was studying abroad in London. A mutually studying abroad student invited me to attend Holy Trinity Brompton because they’d heard good things about the church. (This was pre-social media and the Internet was still pretty youthful. How did information even spread back then???)
I’ve been going through Nicky’s Bible in a year plan, and I also digress every once in a while, like when we were doing the Hope project. Additionally, sometimes I spread a day’s reading over two days. Anyway, I persist. I think it will also take me a year and a half to finish. Agreed, not how much I get through but how much of it gets through to me!
Thanks!
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks. nimabi