“Lord, you know everyone’s heart.” Acts 1:24
Heavenly Father, there are so many areas of life that are clearly “above our pay grade”—and are only your domain. Heart-knowing is one of them. We often speak of being drawn to someone’s heart, being shut out from a friend’s heart, or having a burden for a loved one’s heart… but only you really know what’s in each of our hearts. That’s why we pray with humility and joy, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23), for we cannot and must not trust our own diagnosis—for ourselves or others.
Father, here’s our great peace, sure hope, and worship fuel: Through Jesus, you’ve already sprinkled clean water on our hearts and have declared us to be clean. You have cleansed us from our impurities and are freeing us from our idols. You have 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 and in all of creation (Phil.1:6). We justified sinners are destined to be your glorified children (Rom.8:30)—as lovely and loving as Jesus. Hallelujah! We don’t have to suffer the “paralysis of analysis” or the arrogance of judgmentalism—towards ourselves or others.
Until the Day our new heart becomes a perfected heart, show us practical ways of guarding and nourishing our hearts, and holding and caring for the hearts of others. Help us to walk in greater humility before you and in loving kindness with each other. Everybody has struggles we know little or nothing about. So Very Amen.