Pursuing God’s presence starts with believing He hears. Prayer isn’t a transaction; it’s a relationship where God meets us in our believing.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. —Psalm 34:4-10 (NIV)

Additional Scripture — Matthew 7:7-11

REFLECT ON THE WORD

As we grow in our trust of the Father’s unfathomable goodness, our prayers become rooted in faith instead of fear. In Psalm 34, David paints a picture of faith anchored to a steadfast belief in God’s goodness, even in dire circumstances. Today, let’s start by seeking God in the same way. Remind yourself of His past mercy, supreme power and constant care. Know Him and be known by Him. Our prayer is born in faith because we see the greatness of the One we pray to. Psalm 34 shapes a powerful vantage point to offer our prayers. This view magnifies the Lord’s goodness and delivers us from the fear that our prayers won’t be answered (v. 4). We see in ourselves a reflection of His glory, freed from shame (v. 5). We are humbled by the revelation that while we can offer nothing, He provides everything (v. 6). Though we may see oppression on every front, we witness the resources of His miraculous protection (v. 7). He feeds us His goodness again and again as we trust in Him (v. 8). When we truly know God, we know His greatness. He is enough (v. 9). We can lay down the impulse to scratch out our own fulfillment because He provides all our needs (v. 10).

Our choice to daily immerse ourselves in the belief that we are the children of a loving Father ignites our faith and empowers our prayers. It enables us to go the distance, even on long treks requiring patience, wisdom and stamina. He has not failed us. He will not fail us. He is with us.

PRAYER + CONTEMPLATION

1 - Re-read Psalm 34:4-10. Reflect on how this Psalm reframes the current challenges you are facing.

2 - Ask the Father to remove any fear or anxiety at the root of your challenges and help you to see His goodness and provision in the midst of them.

3 - Pray for the people in your life who are surrounded by overwhelming obstacles, and ask boldly for the Lord to surround and deliver them