Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Acts 1:24
Heavenly Father, there are so many things in life that are clearly not our domain, expertise or right. Heart-knowing is one of them. We often speak of being drawn to someone’s heart, or of being offended, confused, or shut out from their heart; but only you really know what’s in each of our hearts. This brings both pause and peace, jitters and joy.
It leads us to pray with humility and expectation, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23), for we cannot and must not trust our own diagnosis. There’s nothing more deceitful on the face of the earth than the heart, including my heart (Jer. 17:9). Only you understand the ways of the heart, Father. Only you can cure my heart’s sin and sickness; its dividedness and prone-to-wander-ness; its distractibility and penchant for idolatry. Do so, Father, to your glory and my freedom. Do so in the name and for the fame of Jesus.
Father, sometimes I think of myself much more highly than I ought—so wanting to believe I’m more like Jesus than reality affirms; more healthy, mature and loving. Sometimes I fall into shame and contempt, and think very depressive and dark thoughts about myself. I start acting like a stranger to your mercy and a foreigner to your grace—like an orphan without a Father above or an outcast without your Spirit within.
Sometimes I just think about myself too much, period; or I get preoccupied with what others think about me—their approval and disapproval. That always creates a downward spiral—a leaking of gospel sanity and joy. Way too often I arrogantly assume I know what’s in the hearts of others—playing judge and jury, warden and executioner. Forgive me and free me from a condescending attitude and a critical spirit.
Father, this is my sure and only hope: Through Jesus, you’ve already sprinkled clean water on me and have declared me to be clean. You’ve cleansed me from my impurities and you are freeing me from my idols. You’ve already given me a new heart and placed your Spirit within me. You removed my stony heart and have given me a heart of flesh—a heart that beat by you and for your glory (Ezek. 36:24-27). What a generous and powerful God you are!
Praise be your name, you will complete this good work you’ve begun in each of us, in me and in all of creation (Phil. 1:6). Justified sinners are destined to be your glorified children (Rom. 8:30). Our perfectly forgiven hearts will be perfectly perfect hearts! Oh, how we praise you for the peace and assurance we enjoy, all because the gospel is true. Help us to walk in greater humility before you and in observable kindness toward one another. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ loving and heart-transforming name.
