Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Acts 1:24
Heavenly Father, there are so many things attributed to you in the Scriptures that, clearly, aren’t our domain. Heart-knowing is one of them. We often speak of being drawn to someone’s heart; or of being offended, confused, or shut out from their heart. But only you really know what’s going on in each of our hearts.
That’s why we pray with humility and joy this Sunday in August, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23). For we cannot, and must not, trust our own diagnosis—of ourselves, or anyone else. Our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9), and you are grace-full. Only you can heal, free, and transform us.
Too often, we think of ourselves much more highly than we ought—so wanting to believe we are other than reality affirms. Other times, we fall into shame and contempt, and act as though we are strangers to your mercy and grace.
Most of the time, we think about ourselves too much—a preoccupation that leads to the paralysis of analysis and the sinkhole of comparison. Way too often we wrongly assume we know what’s in the hearts of others, playing judge and jury. Forgive us and free us from this haughtiness and unkindness.
Father, here’s our sure and only hope: Through Jesus, you’ve already sprinkled clean water on us and have declared us to be clean. You’ve cleansed us from our impurities and are freeing us from our idols. You’ve already given us a new heart and placed your Spirit within us. You removed our stony hearts and gave us hearts of flesh—hearts that beat for you and your glory (Ezek. 36:24–27). What a generous and powerful God you are!
And you will complete this good work you’ve begun in each of us (Phil. 1:6). We justified sinners are destined to be your glorified children (Rom. 8:30). Hallelujah! Until then, help us walk in greater humility before you, and in observable kindness toward one another. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ loving and heart-transforming name.