An Undivided Heart

AN UNDIVIDED HEART

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.

Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

You are my God.

Be merciful to me, O Lord,

for I am calling on you constantly.

Give me happiness, O Lord,

for I give myself to you.

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,

so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD;

hear my urgent cry.

I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,

and you will answer me.

No pagan god is like you, O Lord.

None can do what you do!

All the nations you made

will come and bow before you, Lord;

they will praise your holy name.

For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.

You alone are God.

Teach me your ways, O LORD,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

so that I may honor you.

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever,

for your love for me is very great.

You have rescued me from the depths of death.

O God, insolent people rise up against me;

a violent gang is trying to kill me.

You mean nothing to them.

But you, O Lord,

are a God of compassion and mercy,

slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Look down and have mercy on me.

Give your strength to your servant;

save me, the son of your servant.

Send me a sign of your favor.

Then those who hate me will be put to shame,

for you, O LORD, help and comfort me.

In this psalm, the author asks God for purity of heart, or put another way, an “undivided heart” (verse 11, NIV). Most of us have a hard time even imagining what an undivided heart would be like. So many things vie for our attention and devotion. We are constantly pulled in different directions. What would it feel like to be undivided? How might our lives be shaped by a prayer each day that we would have undivided hearts, singularly devoted to God and centered on his presence and purposes?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• How would you complete this sentence? __________________ keeps me from having an undivided heart, centered on God and his purposes. (For example, a particular relationship, a busy schedule, lack of clarity about how to have an undivided heart, responsibilities with young kids, work schedule.) Is there any element of fear underneath what you identified?
• What changes would you need to make to allow yourself to fully partner with God’s attempts to give you an undivided heart, centered in his purposes and equipped to be a light in the world?

I need your help, Lord. My heart is divided among so many things. Please give me an undivided heart. Show me what I need to let go of so I can be less scattered. Make clear what you are calling me to in this season, and give me the courage to listen and follow. Open my eyes to the parts of me you seek to redeem and restore. Give me an undivided heart that yields to your work in me and in the world. Amen.