I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes. Psalm 119:48
My words…
Praise
On any given day, my arthritic, age-spotted hands could be accomplishing a number of things: making a sandwich, pulling a weed, washing my car. None of these acts precludes me from lifting my spiritual hands heavenward to You at any time (spiritual multi-tasking). Scripture depicts this act as a posture of praise, but, for me, I am not only praising, I am reaching—reaching for confirmation, for understanding, for wisdom.
I have found, however, that my posture of reaching happens more during times of stillness and sleeplessness. You and I make efficient use of boring car rides, waiting room layovers, and erratic bouts of insomnia. Why meditate on the latest political debate when I could be exploring the boldness of Your encounters with the Pharisees? (My favorite: Blind guides! You strain out a gnat yet gulp down a camel.) Is scanning amusing social media posts worthy of my time when I could be weighing Your worldwide influence as Light of the World? And reflecting on eternity with You is more fulfilling compared to remembering my best day on earth. In other words, time spent reaching toward You is time best spent.
Prayer for me
Your promise of giving me whatever I ask of You is a comfort beyond measure. So, here is my request today: Grant me the wisdom to apply the fruit of our time together to my own life. It’s one thing to know your statutes. It’s another to layer them atop my thoughts and actions to reveal where Your light doesn’t shine through. Then, forgive me when I do nothing about it.
Prayer for others
Lord, I pray for those who regard Your commands and statutes as ancient musings, unrelated to modern society. As Solomon wisely stated, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Shine forth Your precepts in a world in desperate need of them. Only You know the best way to do it.
Thank You
Your servant, N. T. Wright writes, “God intended for people to search for him! Perhaps even reach out for him and find him!”¹ (Italics mine) I read this just after I decided to write this prayer to You. Thank You for another amazing “coincidence!”
More praise
One of the many blessings I experience when reaching for You is that You are so easy to find. Being omnipresent is a trait for which I neglect to praise You often enough. You’re always there and always will be. When I step away from the confines of my world and reach for You, could it be You were reaching for me first? Hmm. Something to ponder.
