My Beautiful and Gracious God, You truly are my Father. I can come sit on Your lap and just be held. I can cry with You, and You grieve with me. I can laugh with You, and You delight in seeing my delight. You are more close than I realize. You are literally in me—through The Holy Spirit.
What then stops me from calling on You when I’m in need? What stops me from celebrating with You when I’m joyful? What stops me from thinking about You during a normal day? Why don’t I spend more time with you?
Life’s distractions maybe. The endless thoughts running around in my head. Pride and determination that I am self sufficient and capable of doing things on my own. Probably so many more.
I forget that You are closer than my breath. I forget that I am not doing life alone. I forget that You know best.
Maybe it’s a sunrise, or a bird chirping that reminds me that You are Creator. Maybe it’s a stranger’s greeting or smile that reminds me that You love all people and want them to be in relationship with You. Maybe it’s writing myself a sticky note saying “Jesus loves me and wants to hear my voice,” that’ll turn my thoughts towards You. Maybe I can think of other creative ways to bring You to mind. Help me Holy Spirit do that.
Once prompted, may I remember that You are in me; that I have direct access to You; and that You are never far away.
I want to talk to You more. I want to pray to You more confidently and expectantly, trusting Your response—whether it’s yes, no or wait. I want to feel a new level of intimacy in my relationship with You. I want my trust in You to be more automatic, requiring less effort. I’ll still have doubts, of course, but my faith will prevail—a mustard seed is all You require. The smallest of seeds.
My faith walk with You is a journey; this won’t happen overnight. But with intentionality on my part and the work of The Holy Spirit, I’ll grow in my faith to confidently say “nothing is impossible for You and I trust Your will for my life and for those whom I love.”
In the Personal and Beautiful Name of Jesus I pray.
Amen.
Matthew 15:21-28 NLT
[21] Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. [22] A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely." [23] But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. "Tell her to go away," they said. "She is bothering us with all her begging." [24] Then Jesus said to the woman, "I was sent only to help God's lost sheep-the people of Israel." [25] But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, "Lord, help me!" [26] Jesus responded, "It isn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs." [27] She replied, "That's true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters' table." [28] "Dear woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed.
