INTENTIONAL

Tonight's Bible study was focused on Matthew 6:1-15, and the word "intentional" kept creeping into the conversation. We should be intentional about giving to the needy, intentional about prayer, intentional about forgiveness.

It's so true. How much gets done on a non-intentional basis? Sure, there are those spur-of-the-moment things that just happen. (But even then, isn't God still being intentional???)

So, I think that this intentionality goes perfectly with my Simple Obedience series. And it ties into one particular area of simple obedience that I still struggle with every day: PRAYER.

Prayer should be intentional. And we should pray for intentionality in our actions! Psalm 5:3 was also shared tonight:

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation.

We should intentionally lay our requests before God and intentionally expect Him to answer. Ask and you shall receive.

When did David pray? IN THE MORNING. A fitting start to the day, right? If we start with intentional prayer, the rest of our day is intentionally focused on our intentional Lord.

I am continually amazed at the strength that comes from prayer -

intentionally seeking God

intentionally spending time in the stillness

intentionally listening for His voice

How can I be more intentional? O, let me count the ways...