Tuesday, February 16, 2010

the Portion of My Inheritance

In my small gruop we're reading a book called "Becoming a Woman of Prayer" by Cynthia Heald. So far it's been good. It's motivation to pray more and increase the effectiveness of my prayer life. Last week one of the things she talked about was praying using God's word. I've heard about it before, but she shared how she would usually find a verse that applied to her life and commit to praying it throughout the year. I liked that idea, so my friends and I decided to find verses for ourselves to memorize and pray and apply to our lives.
I hadn't found anything like I expected to happen. Me and God are on fairly whimsical terms usually, and I was hoping it would lay down in my lap like happens sometimes, but it didn't. So today i went looking. I went to Proverbs and thought I'd check the day of the month. It's the seventeenth, but Proverbs 17 wasn't really weighty or meaningful. Then I went to Psalm 17 thinking what the heck. While Iw as reading it, I realized it's actually only the 16th. Feeling like that meant something, I read Psalm 16. what do you know. It was there.

You O Lord are the porition of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good ineheritance. I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, norw ill you allow your holy one to see corruption. You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures evermore.

What a great passage to keep my heart focused on heaven and God. There are so many things to pray for myself and others in this verse. I love how it is full of gratitude and hope, things that I often need more of.

I could elaborate on how fitting this whole thing is for me right now, but I won't. I just like it. I have found myself so content in Christ this year, so full of peace. The first verses I wrote there express my gratitude so well. I have a good inheritance.

Maybe you can join this challenge with me. Find a verse that you want to pray for yourself this year and share it. I'll pray for you also. we might be surprised at what God does.