Prayers for those who have lost some intimacy with God� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

God Knows Your Story

As I drove home after lunch with my best friend, I thanked God out loud for her. She knows me and loves me in spite of things I don’t love about myself. She’s one of a small circle of people who accept me as I am—my quirks, habits and mistakes. Still, there are parts of my story I resist sharing even with her and others that I love—times where I’ve clearly not been the hero, times I’ve been judgemental or unkind or unloving. But God does know my whole story. He’s the One I can freely talk to even if I’m reluctant to talk with others. The words of Psalm 139 describe the intimacy we enjoy with our Sovereign King. He knows us completely (v. 1). He’s “familiar with all [our] ways” (v. 3). He invites us to come to Him with our confusion, our anxious thoughts and our struggles with temptation. When we’re willing to yield completely to Him, He reaches out to restore and rewrite the parts of our story that make us sad because we’ve wandered from Him. God knows us better than anyone else ever can, and still � � � He loves us! When we daily surrender ourselves to Him and seek to know Him more fully, He can change our story for His glory. He’s the Author who’s continuing to write it.

Cindy Hess Kasper

A Prayer for a Deeper Relationship with God Heavenly Father, thank You that I never need to try to hide myself from You. Every breath in my lungs is a personal gift from You. I want to go deeper with You Lord. Help me to listen to Your voice in Your Word, to take regular time to rest in Your presence, to seek You throughout each day. Be my heart’s desire and fill me with the fullness of Your love. I rejoice that You are so close to me; I open my life to You again. Amen

A Prayer for God to Search You All-knowing Lord, search my heart and mind. Show me what has taken Your place in my thoughts and desires. I repent of seeking other things to fulfil me and give me purpose. Lord, instruct me in making wise choices; lead me along the path of righteousness; give me the faith to leave sinful habits behind. You promise in the Bible that you have given me everything I need to live a godly life—that is a promise I take hold of today. Father, transform me by Your Spirit and renew me day-by-day in the image of Your Son. In His name, Amen.

A Prayer for God to Take Centre Stage in Your Story Father, I want my whole life to be dedicated to You and Your kingdom. Sometimes I’m tempted to think that I am the main character in my life; but actually it’s You. And I am so thankful for that truth. Be the centre and core of my life. May my every hope and dream be forged by Your Spirit; and may my every trial be endured with Your promises before me. Amen

5-minute Bible Study Psalm 139:1-10

1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when

I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar�

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways� 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me� 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there� 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

1�

List all the ways God’s knowledge of you is described. Which do you find most encouraging? Why?

2�

List all the places mentioned. How do you feel about God hemming you in with His presence at each one?

3�

How does God’s searching knowledge encourage you (v. 1)? In what ways does it make you uncomfortable?

4�

Why do you think God’s knowledge and presence is “too wonderful” for the psalmist (v. 6)?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your constant presence in my life and for Your perfect knowledge of my heart and my needs. Help me to love and trust You more in every situation. Amen. WHERE NEXT? If you have time, read the whole of Psalm 139—see where your journey with God began, share your heart with Him and ask Him to calm your anxious thoughts. A BIBLE STUDY TAKE-AWAY! Why not see if listing key words, places, characters and actions can help you examine any other passages in the Bible?

YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME, LORD, and you know me.

PSALM 139:1