Daily Reading: 7-8-16
John 3:16-17; 19-21 The Voice (VOICE)
God sent the Light, Jesus, to expose the darkness of the human heart that exists without the reigning authority of God—Love. Every human heart needs to receive the love of God. Jesus is the answer to our greatest need as humans; otherwise, we will live in a spiritual state of anarchy. Every act of darkness—hatred, lies, greed, violence—grieves my spirit. This morning my heart is grieved by the darkness of the heart—the violence—released against the Dallas Police Officers. Everything in me cries, “We must pray in Jesus’ name!” I pray for those wounded and fighting for their lives to be healed and restored in Jesus’ name. I pray for the families of the fallen officers to be covered and held by the Comforter in Jesus’ name. I pray for truth and justice to rise up and take authority in Jesus’ name. I pray for peace to cover our nation in Jesus’ name, because it is being shaken by darkness.
To pray in Jesus’ name is to ask God for everything to spill forth from the glory of heaven that is consistent with His perfect character and fill the earth. It means as humans we lay our hearts before the Savior and surrender to the work of Love who will cast out darkness from our sinful souls. We must pray consistent with His nature to rule in our individual lives, as well as care about the things that matter to God. I pray for our country and the world to embrace the Love of God found in Jesus Christ, because in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Light overcomes the darkness (John 1:5).