READING:
One-year plan: Isaiah 1-4, Ephesians 2
Two-year plan: 1 Kings 4:20-5:18, John 4:27-38
———-
Sometimes the Word just lays out reality for us—and we just need to listen and repent.
I teach a lot about prayer, and I usually spend some time talking about hindrances to prayer (beginning with the fact that we often just don’t pray much in the first place). The bottom line about this topic, though, is simply this: our ongoing sin gets in the way of our prayer. The people of Isaiah’s day were going through religious rituals their system expected, but their hearts were not turned to God. Thus, God neither desired their sacrifices nor listened to their prayers: “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood” (Isa 1:11).
Hear the Word again: “I will refuse to look at you . . . . I will not listen.” Our sinful hearts and disobedient hands close the door to our prayers—and it’s tough to miss what this text says. Sometimes all we need to do is listen and repent.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: In what areas of your life do you need to repent today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, forgive me. Cleanse my heart today.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Isaiah 5-8, Ephesians 3:1-4:16
Two-year plan: 1 Kings 6:1-7:14, John 4:39-54
