When Your Heart Needs Re-Centering - Your Nightly Prayer - September 17
When Your Heart Needs Re-Centering
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1
SOMETHING TO PONDER
We hit what we aim at.
My dad was an all-state basketball player in high school, and he taught me how to shoot. He instructed me on form and balance. But more than anything, he told me where to place my focus, what I would be shooting at.
Since he created us, God knows the connection between our direction and focus. Therefore, he gives us the best thing to aim at. Fixing our eyes on him, we can do amazing, even impossible things, like walking on water (Matthew 14:29-31).
The Devil does, too.
Satan will do his best to distract us and get our eyes off Jesus. Usually, he won’t use “evil” things, not at first. He’ll distract us with “good” things, activities that make us too busy, overwhelmed, and tax our time, making us tired. Then, as we get our eyes off the prize of Christ, the devil introduces other, more insidious pursuits.
We’ve all found ourselves far away from God at some point. It seems sudden, but we can trace the steps listed above. Of course, the Devil then tries to use guilt and shame to keep us from coming back to Jesus. As the Bible repeatedly expresses, the Father receives us back to fully restore us. He longs for us to be in the right relationship.
God is already the source of all good things. Making him the center of our lives only aligns us with truth and reality. The Lord alone is good, and fixing our aim on him will bring eternal goodness into our lives and those we love.
Colossians shifts our gaze to where our lives truly are, hidden in Christ at the right hand of God. This reveals our eternal destiny as followers of Jesus. It requires intentionality since our weak nature, the world, and Satan constantly attempt to distract us from it.
Thank the Father for the gifts of faith and grace, to rest in his strength to keep our eyes on Life himself and enjoy the eternal life he has for us, now and forever.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
I praise you for the gifts of faith and grace. Fix my eyes on Jesus and keep my heart centered on your goodness. Keep me from distractions that pull my attention away from you, even when they appear good. Sustain me to seek your Kingdom first and rest in your power instead of my own. When I stumble and stray, draw me back in your mercy into close and full fellowship. Help me love and walk in truth, follow Christ, and bring your eternal life to those around me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. What are some ways you find yourself getting distracted by the cares of this life?
2. How have you been intentional in keeping Jesus at the center of your life?
3. What spiritual disciplines help you keep your eyes fixed on Christ and make him your first priority?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
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Related Resource: Praying Through Psalm 68: When God is Bigger Than Your Problems!
What happens when the giants you are facing—whether overwhelmingly massive or seemingly insignificant—trick you into believing God doesn't care about your daily struggles?
Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for an inspiring devotional on Psalm 68, a triumphant and powerful psalm that celebrates the unmatched bigness of God and reminds us that no earthly enemy or obstacle stands a chance against Him. If this episode helps you connect with God through prayer, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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