September 27 – Pray for an Obedient Heart
Scripture
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”
Psalm 143:10 (ESV)
“Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” (KJV)
Encouragement
Sometimes we pray because we want God to show us what to do.
But Psalm 143:10 takes prayer one step further.
David did not simply pray, “Show me Your will.”
He prayed, “Teach me to do your will.”
There is a difference between knowing what God wants and being willing to do it.
We may already know that God wants us to forgive, but forgiveness is difficult. We may know we should speak with kindness, but our emotions are strong. We may understand that God wants us to trust Him, but we still want to control the outcome.
That is when prayer becomes more than asking for direction.
We ask God for an obedient heart.
“Father, teach me to do Your will.”
God has given us His Word to show us how He wants us to live, and He has given believers His Spirit to help us walk in obedience. We do not have to depend upon determination alone.
When obedience is difficult, we can pray.
When our desires conflict with what Scripture teaches, we can pray.
When we know the right thing to do but struggle to do it, we can pray.
A heart that walks closely with God does not merely ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
It also says, “Lord, whatever You show me, help me obey.”
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me Your will through Your Word. Please give me an obedient heart. When I know what is right but struggle to do it, strengthen me through Your Spirit. Help me surrender my desires, attitudes, and plans to You. Teach me not only to know Your will, but to faithfully do it. Lead me in the way You want me to walk. In Jesus’ sweet name I pray, amen.
Thought for Today
I will not only ask God to show me His will; I will ask Him to help me obey it.
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