Pray: 14 Daily Moments to Quiet Your Mind & Center Your SoulSample

Every day, we decide what to do with our time, or what to invest our lives in. Sometimes we might be aiming for success or money; other times we might aim for relational harmony. In each decision we make, we direct our path toward one of our affections or goals. Today we will consider what we are aiming for.

Take a minute this morning to gather your thoughts and quiet your spirit. Get yourself settled into a comfortable state. Close your eyes. Breathe easy. Now, turn your heart and fix your attention on what God has for you this day.

Doing anything with your whole heart requires complete commitment. Commitment requires concentration, but the world is filled with distractions. Constant issues and complications are clamoring for your attention. You have deadlines and duties to attend to. Similar to trying to carve a straight arrow from crooked wood, praising God with your whole heart can seem like fighting against nature. Your heart may want to bend under the pain and pressures of daily life. But God is here for you, and He makes it possible for you to fully commit to your relationship with Him.

Do not be discouraged or disheartened. God has called you to praise Him with all your heart and to speak of His marvelous works, and He empowers you to do so. Without His help and grace, we can't ever aim our arrows perfectly. But with His help, we can learn where to point and how to aim toward a life that resembles Christ. God has amazing adventures appointed for you, and He has a perfect plan for your life. You cannot even begin to fathom the goodness He has in store for you. Do not be afraid. Take aim and let your arrow fly. Let your whole heart soar with praise and declare the wonders of the Lord.

PRAYER

God, I look to the skies and praise You, for You have created the stars. You count each one, and You call them by name. By Your might and the strength of Your power, not one of them goes missing. I sing praises to You alone who does great wonders. I worship You, for Your loving-kindness is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the skies. God, there are knots in my heart. My arrow has bends and curves that keep me from directing it toward You. Jesus, You know these things about me, but still, You love me. Help me to cast my cares and concerns on You every day. God, You have made me so well. You have performed wonderful miracles. You have gone before me and behind me. You have filled my heart with wonder and joy. You have given me every reason to praise You. I am thankful. Help me remember that You are present and listening to me. You know that I will waver, but please give me the strength to keep coming back to You. Help my arrow aim true. Help me to hit the mark. Fill my heart with the wonder of praising You, God. Amen.