Saturday, February 23, 2019

praying effectively: Pray and Rejoice (Ps.32)

(Psalm 32:1-11)
 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!
When I kept silent about my sinmy body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.Selah.
acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we pray to the Lord (32:6)
- that we have joy and are glad in the Lord (32:11)
- that we rejoice in the Lord and shout for joy (32:11)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me freedom from sin and eternal life.  Thank You that I can talk to You 24/7.

And regarding the day to day living, thank You for taking my guilty-feelings away when I admit my sins to You as they happen.  This ongoing reconciliation is so important to my physical, emotional and spiritual health.  I can try to justify my incorrect behavior, but this only wears me down and gnaws at me.  The release from guilt helps to fill my soul with joy and gladness.  Let Your joy within me overflow so others take notice.  Amen.

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