Oh, FreedomSample

I attended a funeral, and one of the relatives powerfully praise-danced to the song, “Break Every Chain.”  I prayed for the people attending the service and then I heard another song in my heart: “But it’s me, O, Lord, standing in the need of prayer . . .” I thought, God, You’re not talking about me; my chains are broken.” But the song echoed, accompanied by Scripture, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23–24 KJV).

King David’s beautiful song in Psalm 139 acknowledges God’s all-seeing eye. The Father knows our thoughts, attitudes, and every single action. The “good, the bad, the ugly.” David ended this passage asking God to thoroughly examine his heart. David desired a deep inner cleansing, free of lies and self-deception like the prophet Jeremiah warned (Jeremiah 17:9). David basically asked God to place him under a magnifying glass, to make sure nothing dark lingered within, no binding chains and impure motives. David invited God to shine His light where wrongdoing originates and dwells, in the heart. He also promised to go God’s way instead of his own.

That day at the funeral I sincerely longed for the chains binding those attending to be broken. But God also wanted to remind me, don’t get so busy praying for others that you can’t hear the chains rattling around in your own heart. - Victoria Saunders McAfee

Prayer: Lord, make sure I’m unshackled as I attempt to pray for others’ freedom.