Divine Imperatives October 8 Devotional

MATTHEW 6:7 | ⁷ When you are praying, do not heap up  empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Imagine you are sitting next to a stranger on a bus, plane, or train. You smile and ask them a question and they begin to talk. Without any break, they go on and on until the bus arrives, the plane lands, or the train reaches the station. You have no chance to speak, to share, or even to ask a second question.

Prayer, like conversation, is two-way, a dialogue in which we speak and listen. God is eager for us to share our thoughts, emotions, and questions because He wants to correct and clarify our perceptions and attitudes. He is always working to shape our minds toward a deeper understanding or reality, our characters toward a more virtuous ordering, and our souls toward a holy love. If we want to be more like Jesus, communication with Him is a key way to change.

Listen quietly for God’s voice for 10 minutes, then pray for yourself, others, and our world.

Gracious God,

Work on my mind, character, and soul. Let me be more like Jesus.

Amen.