Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Psalm 86:1-10 (NRSV)

Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all day long.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come
and bow down before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
For you are great and do wondrous things;
you alone are God.

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Reflect

Many things occupy our attention on a daily basis. Some things are as simple as where we will eat dinner tonight or the time of our child’s ball practice today. There are also deeper anxieties, fears, and worries that grab our attention and won’t let go.

In the midst of all the things that will have our attention today, we are also trying to allow God to have some moments of our day. This devotion is a way of us trying to open our hearts and minds to sense God’s presence.

As we read the ancient words of Psalm 86, we are reminded that we are a part of a great cloud of witnesses who were also seeking God in the moments of their day. They wrote words of lament, praise, and confession in hopes that the things that had so often attracted their attention would be pushed aside for a sense of God’s favor. All of us find ourselves in good company as we continue the tradition of seeking the God daily by turning our attention to devotion and prayer.

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Pray

We ask that you help us turn our hearts and minds toward you God. As we journey through our day, may we be made in your image, crafted for your care, and designed for your favor. Draw us near. Amen.

Go with God.