"I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Day 153 - (Today’s Bible readings:1 Kings 7:1-22; Psalm 122; 1 John 5:13-21)
THE WILL OF GOD
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 ESV)
One of the biggest complaints God-doubters have is that He doesn’t answer their prayers. What they don’t understand is that He will only answer in ways that line up with His perfect will for us.
How does this work? Perhaps you decide to take the Lord up on this promise: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:4 ESV) So you pray, “Lord, please give me a million dollars.” But God doesn’t fulfill that desire. He could do anything, but He knows that a million dollars would not be good for you. He knows that you would start trusting in your money instead of Him.
James warns against prayers that are not in line with God’s will: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3 ESV)
What God wants to give you is the peace that comes from trusting in Him. And that is exactly what happens when we follow Jesus’ example and pray: “Thy will be done.” And what is His ultimate will for you? The answer is forgiveness, His presence in your life, and eternal life.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect will for my life. Please help me to accept Your answers to my prayers, and to treasure Your best gifts of forgiveness, reconciliation and heaven. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), undergirds this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
Then scroll down to 2022 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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