...pray daily...

Jesus said: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them.  For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come — sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and defile a person” Mark 7:20-23.

Oh how our hearts need healing.   When the energy that lies within our minds and hearts can be directed toward loving as Jesus loves, we can transform not only ourselves but even those who might otherwise become the victims of our anger and lust.  This takes patience, this takes prayer, this takes the grace of God and our desire to love well — but it is possible.   I know of no other way to control what comes out of me, my decisions and daily choices, my words and behavior, except through daily pray and the daily reading and meditating on (thinking deeply about) the Scriptures.   I have learned too the blessing to do this in the morning before I start may day.   Be careful that you not trick yourself into believing that you will do this at the end of the day, for only the most disciplined among us can do this.

So I invite you to consider deeply the call, the invitation, of The Lord to pray and spend time each morning in the Scriptures.   Pray for the Lord to give you this discipling in your life.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy win me a sinner.

Oh Lord, help me to live a pure and faithful life.   Help me to spend time each day in quiet, reflective prayer in Your presence.   Bring me to Your holy Word each day.   Teach me to listen to You.   For You are so deeply and lovingly present.  Lord, Jesus, Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.   In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.