LORD, GIVE ME EYES FOR YOU ONLY

Our morning devotions are published fairly consistently at 9am. This morning’s Friday prayer of devotion came late because, well, it took a while longer for my heart to connect to God. I’ve been so distracted. When life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to find escape in distractions, usually in the form of Facebook feeds or Netflix.

But I needed something real this morning, you deserve something real, and God deserves the realist part of me. My heart and mind still feel faraway and a little broken, but my contrition is real. Maybe this prayer can be yours, too.

Look through to the real me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any sinful way in me and lead me in the path of life, Your everlasting way.

Lord, I want to remain in those moments and seasons when what You care about matters more to me than what I care about, and I don’t just talk about it but actually live like it.

Of course I should take care of myself so I could help take care of others, but fulfilling the needs of self can be the most unfulfilling endeavor of all. I’m seeking Your will, but I complicate things. What if following Your plan and fulfilling Your will is as simple as loving who’s in front of me? Help me.

Lord, forgive me for the entitlement I’ve let creep into my heart. Forgive me for the expectation that because I do for You, that You have to do for me. Am I really doing it all for You? Is it really all about You? I’m not so certain. It becomes about me so quickly. Let it not be so, but purify this heart of mine, and give me eyes for You only, Lord. {Psalm 139:23-24}