Clinging to God in Prayer
I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We look to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. Psalm 123:1-2
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This passage gives us a beautiful word picture of focused, single-hearted devotion, of having our attention wholly focused on the Lord of heaven. The psalmist compares his trust in God with the attentiveness of servants or slaves who hang on every word, watching and waiting for even the slightest signal from their master. As I read these verses, I am reminded that some days my eyes are looking to everything else but the Lord. How thankful we can be that even at those times, the blood of Jesus cleanses us as we humbly acknowledge our lack of focus on God and our total dependence on him. It is his Spirit within us looking to the Father that draws our hearts to him in prayer and a partnership with him in his mission on earth. What a good place that is to be! The next time the Spirit reminds you that your vision is “out of focus,” remember this picture of the servant, and ask God to draw your attention back to him.
Prayers:
O GOD, enthroned in heaven, I long to have my eyes fixed on you as the psalmist did. Draw me to you, Lord, as I lift my eyes to your throne for your mercy and grace today. Keep me from distractions that would take my eyes from you and make my focus fuzzy. And give me attentiveness to your Holy Spirit’s “signals” in my heart and life today.
Quotes:
I don’t think there is anyone who needs God’s help and grace as much as I do. Sometimes I feel so helpless and weak. I think this is why God uses me. Because I cannot depend on my own strength, I rely on him twenty-four hours a day. . . . All of us must cling to God through prayer.
Mother Teresa (1910–1997)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: 2 Samuel 23:24–24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4 and Proverbs 16:21-23.
