Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
October 18, 2023
Exodus 2:23-25
23 A long time passed, and the Egyptian king died. The Israelites were still groaning because of their hard work. They cried out, and their cry to be rescued from the hard work rose up to God. 24 God heard their cry of grief, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God looked at the Israelites, and God understood.
Good Morning. Sing praise to God!
Jeremiah 29:12-13; "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
We sometimes get caught up in how to pray versus what we want or need to convey to God. I spoke with someone who was dealing with a difficult situation, and I asked her if she prayed about it. She quickly told me that she didn’t know the right words to pray. She heard the pastor and others say these fancy prayers that seemed to have all the right words. Because she didn’t know how to pray like them, she believed that her prayers would not be heard.
I shared with her a story of my nephew, Andy, who has limited speech capabilities who liked to pray before our meals. It took all of his effort to repeat the words my husband gave him. God, “God!” Love you, “Love you!” Thank you, “Thank you!” Amen, “Amen!” I told her that each time Andy shared this simple prayer, I felt God’s presence all around us and we were all blessed.
It’s not the words we say or even how we say them, it is what our heart says that matters. In fact, even when we are unable to form words, God hears our prayers through our sighs too deep for words. In these moments, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and conveys our message to God. Never be afraid to share your thoughts and words with God. God listens to those who seek him with their heart.
Awesome God, We love you! We are not worthy to speak Your name, but by your grace you invite us to share all our thoughts and words with You. Thank you. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God knows my thoughts and hears my words.
Speak! God is Listening! Pastor Liz
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