Herodias - Her Legacy Of Prayer

Herodias - Her Legacy Of Prayer

For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.

— Mark 6:18 – 19

REFLECT ON:	Mark 6:14 – 29.
PRAISE GOD:	That he gives us opportunities to repent and turn back to him.
OFFER THANKS:	For the men and women in your own life who have had the courage to tell you the truth.
CONFESS:	Any tendency to respond defensively to constructive criticism.
ASK GOD:	For the grace to respond to correction with humility.

Lift Your Heart

Most of us hate criticism. Part of our defensiveness stems from our inability to see the connection between brokenness and grace. How differently we would respond if we understood that repentance is like a garden hoe breaking up the soil to make it ready for the seed. If we want to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — we must cherish the truth, however it comes to us.

Being receptive to criticism doesn’t mean we become women with low self-esteem. It simply means that we will be open about our sins and faults, believing in God’s desire to forgive us and help us to change. This week, take some time for a little soul-searching. Is God trying to get your attention about something that is off-kilter in your own life? Is he raising up a prophet in your own family — a child or husband who is trying to tell you the truth? If so, listen, and then pray about what you hear. Resist the temptation to make the person pay for his or her words by sulking, holding a grudge, or criticizing him or her in turn. Instead, be the first to say you’re sorry. A habit of repentance will make your heart fertile soil for God’s grace.

Father, I know how deceitful the human heart can be. Please give me the courage to be honest and the faith to believe in your forgiveness. May my heart become a place of brokenness, where grace and truth can flourish.