For The Right Motives

For the Right Motives

IT’S AMAZING HOW TWO PEOPLE can perform the same action yet get different responses. Like the person who shoves you to shield you from danger, and the person who shoves you to cut into the checkout line.

When we pray, our motives matter, and they impact God’s response. The story of Hannah teaches that lesson. Every year, Elkanah and his wives traveled to the Tabernacle. “Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah” (1 Samuel 1:7). This rivalry persisted because Peninnah had children and Hannah had none.

But one day Hannah’s motives changed. She no longer hoped for a child to cover her shame and outdo her rival. Instead, she prayed for the opportunity to glorify God: “LORD . . . if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you” (1 Samuel 1:11). And the Lord answered Hannah’s prayer.

Why we pray matters as much as what we pray. God sees—and responds to—the motives of the heart.

STRENGTH IN THE WORD

Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.

TODAY I DECLARE

Bad motives will no longer hinder my prayers.

PRAYERFUL THOUGHTS

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being a God who sees everything. Your omniscience holds me accountable; it compels me to do what’s right.

Please forgive me for having self-centered and questionable motives. My prayers should be about you and me, but they’ve become more about only me. Therefore, redirect my heart to a God-centered place. Let glorifying and pleasing you be the motivating forces behind my prayers.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

KEEPSAKE

“God sees—and responds to—the motives of the heart.”