Honouring God

Welcome back! We are 3 days in, and I want to celebrate that for a moment before we start. We're still redefining prayer, with today's focus being honouring God.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First things first, let's pray before we start:

pray out loud for today's devotional

2. Now that we've prayed, let us read the Word:

• Nehemiah 1:4-5
• Matthew 6:9

3. Let's get into today's discussion

Today's Devotional:

One of the biggest truths that God has revealed to me in my Christian walk is that His glory is independent of my situation and His response to it. God isn't glorious because He did this, that or the other. He is. Period. Glory is innately within His identity. He is a glorious God.

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us to also acknowledge this fact when we pray. He teaches us to centre ourselves by honouring God before we say anything else in our prayers. This, I believe, is more for us than it is for God. It reminds us who it is what we're speaking to. It calls us into a place of humility and awe, regardless of the main reason why we're praying. It is important to first know to whom it is that we are praying in the first place. What makes Him worthy of our supplications and capable of meeting our needs?

• ACTIVITY: Take a moment to think about who God is to you… why do you pray to Him and not another deity? What sets the God of heaven apart for you?

When we find Nehemiah in the very first chapter of his book in the Bible, he is in turmoil. The worst thing is happening, the walls of the city of God are falling and there's nothing he can do about it. He acknowledges that he cried, prayed and fasted until he came to the point in verse 5 where he is composed enough to "pray properly". Perhaps he first asked the why questions we all get when we're in an unfavourable situation. Perhaps he asked God to fix it… but the first time we get an insight of Nehemiah's words to God, He follows what Jesus would later note to be the exemplary introduction to prayer: acknowledge and honour God!

I know that it can be very difficult for me to honour God when I feel robbed. As we relearn how to pray, let us learn to honour Him first. Regardless of what's happening or how we feel because His glory is not dependent on anything. It is who He is. And it is befitting to praise the King when you enter into His courts.

Practical Tasks:

• Read today's scriptures in context (full passage or chapter) and write down your lessons. If you like, you may also share them with me at [email protected] or DM me @kaydee_mashile on all social media platforms.
• Meditate on the prayer prompts listed on the cover image.

Optional:

• Listen to the song of the day: I honor You by Bishop T.D Jakes (https://youtu.be/O2I_DUSrujA)
• Share Today's Podcast with a friend