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A Prayer for Responding to Jesus’ Pursuit of Our Hearts

     Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  Rev. 3:19-20

     Dear Lord Jesus, every day we have the privilege of living the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” for you love us tenaciously and you pursue us constantly. That you desire fellowship with us is one thing; but that you actually enjoy being with us is hard to imagine. We believe; help our unbelief.

     In the gospel we enjoy eternal union with you, for God has hidden our lives in you. But for various reasons, we tend to flow in and out of vital communion with you. All of our excuses are lame—busyness, the demands of ministry, a lack of sleep, not wanting to live under the “law of quiet times,” parenting pressures, work schedules, and etc.

     The sad thing is, sometimes we don’t recognize our heart drift for a quite a while—days, even months. It’s usually the people around us who first recognize our being out of communion with you, for rich fellowship with you changes the way we relate to everyone.

     Lord Jesus, there’s no greater rebuke than to hear you knock on the door of our hearts, yet that knock actually comes like a kiss—a Bridegroom wooing his beloved bride. It’s because you love us that you confront us and discipline us. All of your rebukes are life giving; and when you discipline us, though it’s painful, it’s always for our good and our freedom. It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance (Hallelujah!)

     Lord Jesus, your knock and your voice in the gospel are persuasive and powerful, and by faith we rise to greet you today. Come in and let us feast together this very day. You are the bread we need the most. You give the water that alone quenches our deep thirst.

     Until the Day when daily fellowship meals are replaced with the great Wedding Feast of the Lamb, may we have to hear your knock on the outside of the door, way less often. So very Amen we pray, with gratefulness, in your loving name.

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