Opening Prayer

Father, You are a Generous God. You constantly give us opportunities to hear Your Word and then to obey it. But oftentimes, due to our heart’s condition, we don’t receive what You have for us. Help us not to allow the truth of Your Word to be wasted because of the hardness of our hearts. Keep our hearts soft and malleable by Your Spirit. We pray as Your Word is planted in good soil, it will produce fruit for Your Glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture

Devotion

Have you ever tried to explain a concept to someone, but they had a hard time understanding what you were trying to say? Sometimes an analogy or a metaphor can be helpful in illuminating a point. But no matter how clearly, you’re communicating, if a person is hardened in their hearts, they will not be able to understand.

This was the case with many people who were either following Jesus for all the wrong reasons or those who wanted to destroy Him. Jesus spoke in parables so that those who were humble and hungry to learn, would seek more of Jesus’s teachings. Jesus illustrated this beautifully with the Parable of the Sower. The seed, which is the truth of the Gospel is generously scattered on the various soils. Depending on the soils, we see how much fruit it would produce.

As we humble ourselves and seek after Jesus, we will see the truth. It is the work of the Spirit to put a desire in us to seek after the truth. Only God’s Grace can reveal this truth and help us to understand. We need spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear what God is trying to say to us.

Has your heart gotten harder over the years and you don’t even realize it? How is God trying to speak to you and plant the seed of the Gospel in you? God is generously scattering His truth into our hearts. May we have the humility and the hunger to want to know Him more.

Intercessory Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You! Whether someone stays single or plans to get married, You are the one who best understands their desires and expectations. We seek that You would fortify the walls around them to mold them into the good people of Your will, and lead them clearly into the marriage of Your will in Your timing. May the work achieved in each of their lives make the eternal Kingdom of Heaven rejoice. In each of their weak moments, we seek Your upholding and help to pour down from Heaven. May You grant them the grace to trust in Your best guidance as Your grace continues to meet all their daily needs. In the name of the Lord, Amen!