This prayer grew from reflection on Psalm 73. It is easy to wonder if being faithful to God and giving our hearts solely to Him is really worth it. The psalmist Asaph gives away the answer at the very beginning though: God is good—good to good people, good to the good-hearted, good to those who are pure in heart.
Father,
What is a pure heart really worth?
As the psalmist Asaph lamented,
“Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
“In vain have I washed my hands in innocence.”
Father, it’s easy to look around…
To see those who aren’t following You…
And to think they are doing well enough without You.
As Asaph observed of such people,
“They have no struggles;
“Their bodies are healthy and strong.
“They are free from the burdens common to man;
“They are not plagued by human ills.”
But what is wealth worth without You?
What is health worth without You?
What are possessions without You?
What are relationships without You?
What is a house without You?
What is fame without You?
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
“Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Others may have wealth, health, possessions, relationships, houses, fame…
But I have You.
I am with You always.
And if I have You, I have everything I need.
Because You see me and know my needs and care for me.
When those far from You lose their wealth…
When their health fails…
When their possessions break…
When their relationships deteriorate…
When their houses collapse…
When their fame dies…
How quickly the floor falls from under their feet leaving them in a freefall.
It’s like building a house on sand.
When the rain comes down and the streams rise and the wind blows…
The house comes crashing down and is swept away.
And sooner or later the rain does come and the streams do rise and the wind does blow.
Which is why we need You, Father.
You are a firm foundation.
When the rain comes down and the streams rise and the wind blows…
You are our refuge and strength,
And so we remain steady in the wake of Your presence.
Through Jesus, You say,
Surely You are good to those who are pure in heart.
You hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel.
And afterward, You will take me into Your glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And earth has nothing I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I will seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness.
I will seek to be pure in heart.
Surely You are good to those who are pure in heart.
So create in me a pure heart, O Father.
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
That I may know and taste Your goodness.
Amen.
We’ve been away from the blog for a while. Charity and I have been frantically searching for a new home to rent because our current lease ends in two weeks. I wrote this prayer over two weeks ago as we were in the midst of the search and feeling discouraged. It was a good reminder that faithfulness and purity of heart is worth it because to have God is to have everything I need.
Author:
Hi, I’m Keagan! Some of my friends call me “Keags” though! My wife, Charity, is the C to my K. I am loved by Jesus and am in love with Jesus! I am passionate about others fully knowing and loving Jesus and living life in His unforced rhythms of grace. Read more of my writing here.
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