A Precious Prayer
Of all the public prayers I have heard over the years, one in particular stands out. Interestingly, it came from my middle child, Elliot. Several years ago, when he was about six years old, I asked who would like to pray over dinner, and he quickly raised his hand. When I motioned for him to begin, he said these words: “I trust You, God, dear Jesus; I love Your heart. Thank You. I love Your heart. Amen.” He would repeat this prayer faithfully for some time. It may have been simple, but it still convicted me nonetheless. His words reminded me of David’s declaration in Psalm 62:8: “Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
In Elliot’s tiny prayer lies a much-needed reminder for all believers. For instance, do we truly trust God? Often when someone says they trust God, they mean they trust Him in the general scope of life, but not in the specific details of each day. They trust Him for salvation and even believe He will return one day. Yet when the car breaks down on the way to work, or an unexpected bill arrives, genuine trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God is often lacking.
We should trust God for our daily bread just as much as we trust Him for the salvation of our souls. We must ask ourselves: Do I believe God knows all things? If so, do I believe He is concerned with the hardships in my own life, no matter how small? Psalm 103:14 says, “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Elliot’s closing words were almost always, “Jesus, I love Your heart. Amen.” So often we declare that we love God, but again, our love is offered only in a general sense. We love that He redeemed us; we love that He blesses us. But do we simply love Him for who He is—not only for what He does or has done? To love the heart of God implies a desire to know Him more deeply (Philippians 3:8–10) and a resolve to abide in His presence (John 15). As David wrote in Psalm 27:8, “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’”
Do you love the heart of God? Are you in awe of the heart that bled for our salvation (Hebrews 9:14), the heart moved with compassion for the aimless multitudes (Matthew 9:36), the heart that grieves over human wickedness (Genesis 6:6; Psalm 78:40), yet rejoices lovingly over His children (Zephaniah 3:17)? Lord, help me to cherish You! Help me never to grieve Your heart, but only to seek to please You. Help me, Jesus, to love Your heart.
