A Believer's Prayer

With the rampant spread of evil and godlessness in the world, it’s crucial for true followers of Christ to properly distinguish between the truth and lies. Aside from being critical thinkers, we need to be wise about what we are exposed to through seemingly Christian channels.

You and I can’t afford to be easy targets, becoming gullible to things online, on television and radio. We need to be people who pray for wisdom and discernment, first and foremost, then test everything we see and hear against the unwavering truth of God’s word. If it’s not a principle found within the pages of Scripture, it’s untrue.

Gone are the days of subtle deceit. It's now in our faces. Falsehoods are being weaved into once sound Christian materials. They're even in our churches. We need to be on guard against these untruths that are drawing us away and negatively affecting our ability to wisely discern truth.

When I first became a believer, I made a lot of poor choices resulting from my lack of spiritual maturity, wisdom and discernment. I had assumed that as soon as Jesus took up residence in my heart and life, it meant immediate transformation. Instead it was, and remains, a process.

In this process I continually pray for God’s discerning wisdom to increase along my journey with him. To be a true believer in Christ is to desire and go after that which brings about Christlikeness. To have a focus that narrows, zooming in to the things leading to spiritual maturity and the ability to filter out truth from lies.

For me, it means digging deep into God’s word every day, participating in a biblically sound church, attending Bible studies, fellowshipping with other true believers and applying what I’ve learned from each of these areas into every aspect of my life.

The more you and I glean from a life lived in and for Christ, the more we can be assured of growing in maturity, wisdom and discernment God’s way. Today’s verses are a great way to start - in praying for the things we are to possess as Christ followers.

Sovereign Lord, thank you for placing a daily desire within me to pray for spiritual maturity, wisdom and discernment. For I know these things bring riches far greater than any earthly wealth could. I'm truly grateful for your spiritual blessings in my life. Increase them, O Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Throughout This Day: As you read and deeply ponder the immensity of today’s Scripture portion, it’s also my prayer for you as you journey, daily, with God.