Tuesday 3rd February

Quiet your heart and mind. Consider breathing deeply and exhale slowly. Listen deeply. What words of praise do you hear in your soul?

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."

Psalm 95:2

Ponder: Sing a short song of praise. Sit quietly and let it ring on in your heart.

Scripture

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

First pray this prayer for yourself. Read it 2 more times slowly. How does it bless you or help you?

The father’s invitation

I first came across this Psalm when I was going through a difficult season in my life. I felt so low and discouraged. I felt stuck, but I was reminded through these words of David, that God is the One who can pull me up out of the mess. What encouraged me here is that God welcomes us back – every time! He is ready and waiting for us. Later in the Psalm, in verse 17, it says, “You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." How beautiful it is that our Father desires for us to turn to Him in our brokenness. He responds to our reaching out by restoring our joy and helping us walk in obedience.

Friend, I don’t know what season you are in, but I hope through these words you will be encouraged that our Father is waiting, with His arms open for you to turn to Him. Take some time now in confession to be honest with God. Tell Him how you feel with raw emotion. Tell Him where you have gone wrong. Ask Him for His presence in the midst of what you are experiencing. Lean into the intimate presence of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, ask Him to restore the joy of salvation and for help to walk in obedience. Thank Him for the gift of His presence and His kindness towards us, His children.

AP, Regional Coordinator for Member Support in West Asia (Middle East & Central Asia)

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. Write out the prayer related to them. Ask God if you should send it to them.

Kids’ Question: Picture King David praying this prayer, what do you see? What is he doing? What does he ask God?