Draw Me Nearer, Lord - Your Nightly Prayer - February 28th
Draw Me Nearer, Lord
Your Nightly Prayer
By Shea Smith
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” James 4:8
SOMETHING TO PONDER
If only you knew how many times I heard, “Moooooooom!” throughout the day! By mid-morning, I’m sure we’re in the hundreds. Each time they say “mom,” there's a different meaning behind each one. There’s the question, “Mom?” as one of my littles is looking for me—seeking where I am. Sometimes there’s desperation behind my name, where one of my children needs me urgently. Yes, even a frustrated “Mom” when I tell them it’s time to do their chores. Of course, there’s my least favorite: the “I’m-telling-on-you-MOM!” The one that always catches my ear is the “mom” with pain and tears behind it. My baby needs me, and I need to find them as fast as possible.
While this season of motherhood is often demanding, I take great joy when they come to me with their needs, worries, frustrations, and pain. Even in my late 30s, I still call my mom to talk about my own needs! “How long do I cook this again?” “What should I do about talking back?” I hope my kids, grown and with families of their own, still call mom. There’s something about being needed and sought after that sparks our souls. I think it gives us a peek at what the Creator intended.
When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, they walked closely with God. His nearness and companionship were a beautiful, God-created reality. We know the story—sin separated us from God’s intention for us: to be near Him.
Jesus changed everything! Our access to the Creator is as frequent as we desire. When we whisper, “God,” He hears. He’s not an overwhelmed mom trying to determine the meaning behind our call. God deeply cares about your cry for consolation, peace, companionship, and so on. There’s no end. He wants you to share it all with Him.
I think a misconception we often carry is that we have to come to God polished and refined—having already figured it out. Maybe we believe the lie, “If God really sees what a mess I am, He won’t want to get close.” Take comfort in this: we are all a mess! God loves you beyond your own comprehension. Like Adam and Eve, God clothes us with what we need (Genesis 3:21). Because of Christ, nearness with God is possible again!
Whether you feel close or far from God in this very moment, take a deep breath and center your heart on this truth: God wants nearness with you.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
God,
You created me for a relationship with You. Sometimes when I'm busy or when sin sneaks in, I avoid drawing close to you. Forgive me for the times I’ve let excuses keep me from drawing close to you. As we are in the season of Lent, I pray my heart would desire You above all. Thank you, Lord, for choosing me. Thank you, Jesus, for the access I have to my Creator. Tonight, I renew my mind on the peace and access I have with You, my King.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. God wants nearness with you. Are there any hindrances on your part for not taking a step towards the Lord? Confess them now.
2. When you call upon the name of the Lord, He is listening. In your own words, share your heart.
3. Tonight, thank Him for the gift of His nearness. Imagine His breath of life sustaining you. Inhale His goodness, exhale His peace.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Kostiantyn Paienk
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