Today's Verse - Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

—Psalm 5:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When I read this verse, I remember Richard Melton, a beloved elder in a church where I once preached and a dedicated prayer warrior. He would quote this verse every morning before he entered into prayer. He often quoted this verse with tears in his eyes because he did expectantly wait for the LORD to join him and to answer! Why the tears? Because prayer is so much more — more than we realize and more than we can explain. It is more than making requests. It is more than offering praise. It is more than giving thanks. It is more than interceding for others. It is more than the positions we use to pray — kneeling, prostrating, or bowing before God. Prayer is us knowing God wants us there and loves when we "wait in expectation" for him and his answers to our prayers. Prayer is expecting God to act and bring his redemption in response to our prayers. It is eagerly expecting that God will meet us in our prayer time and do what is best for us, and those for whom we pray.

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Loving Father and Eternal God, thank you for meeting me in this prayer time. I know you hear me and care about what I share with you. Thank you for paying attention to someone like me and accepting me as your precious child. Thank you! O LORD, I wait in expectation to see you move in the lives of people for whom I pray. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

—Ecclesiastes 5:2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Even in our TikTok®, short sound-byte world, far too often, many words are spoken in pledge to God that go unfulfilled. We are also tempted to pray long prayers, thinking God will hear us because of our many words (Matthew 6:7). Instead, let's thank him, praise him, and make our requests to him. But let's also realize that while our prayers need to be persistent, our words don't need to be elaborate, refined, and many in number.

My Prayer...

Almighty God, thank you for the Holy Spirit interceding with you for us as we pray (Romans 8:26-27). Thank you for reminding us in your Scriptures that we don't have to use articulate prayers for you to hear our hearts. Thank you for not expecting grandiose promises or dazzling words from us when we pray. We come to you as your children, your humble servants, who long to live for you and praise you with our lives and our words. In Jesus' name, dear Father, we seek your grace as we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...

—Romans 5:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The cost of peace is always high. Jesus' enormous sacrifice purchased our peace with God. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation. Instead, God paid it himself, in Jesus, and asked us to believe this "too-good-to-be-true" gift is true through his grace and our faith in his gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-7).

My Prayer...

Holy and loving Father, thank you for making peace and bringing me back to you at an enormous cost to yourself, the crucifixion of your Son (Colossians 1:18-19). Thank you, LORD Jesus, for willingly surrendering yourself to the horrible cruelty of the Cross. Thank you for not treating me as your enemy because of my sin (Romans 5:6-11) but as a lost sheep that needed to be found by your grace. Thank you for adopting me as your beloved child. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.