The Yielded Heart
One of the unique prayer expressions that we do here at House of Prayer Edmonton is what we call ‘devotional prayer’. Each week we choose a specific passage of Scripture and we spend time together each day praying over that portion of the Bible. It is amazing to experience how God speaks through His Word during those times of group prayer. I remember one week when we were looking at Joshua 24, and I sensed that God was directing my attention to v. 23:
“Now then,’ said Joshua, ‘throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
It was the phrase ‘yield your hearts to the LORD...’ that really struck me; it was a verse that seemed to stick with me for a number of days. That same week, I found myself reading in Mark 6 and another verse was brought to my attention:
“They were completely amazed for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:51-52)
I began to express the ideas of both verses in prayer, asking God to help me to be yielded to Him all the different areas of my heart and praying that the Holy Spirit would continue His work to soften the hardened areas of my heart.
The reality is that we can’t accurately evaluate all the areas of our life, but God knows us completely.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” -Psalm 139:23-24
It is powerful when we honestly invite God to search us and speak to us about any area of our life that He wants to help us with. Our part is to yield and surrender and listen, and God’s part is to speak to us and lead us toward the life He desires for us.
A Prayer
Father God, I purpose today to yield my heart to you. I don’t want my heart to be hardened, and unable to hear your voice and respond to your leading. I thank you that in Jesus, my heart has been transformed and brought to life by your Spirit. Today I again recognize your place in my life as Lord, and I choose again to live in surrender to your will and direction in my life. Thank you that your mercies are new today in my life and that you are leading me. Amen.
