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This morning I bow before you.  You are my King.  You are my God.  I lay my requests before you.  And I wait expectantly–knowing you will answer.

Today, LORD, defeat evil in whatever place it dwells and in whatever form it takes.  Let this morning be the last morning that violence, wickedness, and malice see.

And today, LORD, nurture good in whatever place it dwells and in whatever form it takes.  Let this morning bring hope, help, and haven to all who stand for what is right.

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Today is the 8th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event:  31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. (Mark 7:31-35 ESV)

Jesus looked at a man needing help.  Then Jesus looked to heaven. 

Jesus saw this person.  Then he prayed.

He observed an individual.  Then he interceded.

What do you do when you see someone in need?  Look down?  Look away?  Look within?  Then next time you find yourself in front of a person in need, let your first look be to heaven.  Open your eyes today, and every  day left in these 40 days.  Each time you observe an individual requiring help, look to heaven and intercede.

SHARE WITH SOME OTHER READERS BELOW WHAT YOUR GUT REACTION TENDS TO BE TO PEOPLE IN NEED…

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LORD, I’ve had it tough since the day I was born.  My earliest memories include painful people and faithless foes.

And right now, I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.  The thoughtless words of selfish people have hit me like a ton of bricks.

I wish, LORD, that they’d blow out of this town with the next windstorm.   I wish, LORD, that you’d treat them the way they treated me.

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