Episode 72: Isaiah 55:1-3
Transcription
Before we get into our prayer today, I wanted to let you know some exciting news. My book, Yes, Father: A Daughter’s Journey to Forgiveness will be on sale on Amazon through December so that you get the best option while Christmas shopping. I pray you will consider what caregivers or friends you can gift this book to. Please don’t hesitate to go to my website www.thejulihernandez.com while doing your online shopping and let me know if you decide to buy and who you bought it for. I would love to pray for them. That’s a great way to find out more about the book and who it’s for.
https://books2read.com/yesfather
And don’t forget while you’re getting the book for someone else, to leave a review. That way more people can find the story that I hope was a blessing to you. Now, on to our prayer.
Today’s verse is Isaiah 55:1-3
Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
Let’s pray together.
LORD, I think about the physical needs of the world. They are many. We have material bodies that crave and need and expire without sustenance and protection. They are fallible to injury and disease. We are so fragile and easily broken. And even though we need it, what we take in does not fully satisfy us. We need something more because the need is real.
But what is evident to me today is that I so often run to what is not good for me. I spend my time and money and efforts on fake goods. I act like the imitation is the real thing when I know that You want to give what is best. You are the true nutritionist for the body, soul, and spirit. You invite me to spend what I have on the best things, the things You provide. Instead, I search for what is not real.
Come, all, I hear You say. You tell me that I can be satisfied and live truly. I do not need to pour myself out because You already did that. Instead, I need to pour myself into You. I remember the empty and run to You, the full. I am invited and welcome. I must listen. Oh, teach me to listen. Open my ears, cleansing them from anything blocking the way to Your truth. Remove obstacles and barriers and all the noise that clutters my life. Help me to be still instead of spending my labor on the unsatisfying, depressing, momentary pleasures of this world.
I know You want our relationship to be everlasting. I am given a tender restoration plan, long stored up for me and planned lovingly before I was born. It was faithfully kept and will endure forever. It is the evidence of Your faithful love. Throw me into your thirst-quenching waters. I long to be refreshed. I am weary and I am hungry. And You will delight me.
Father, whatever burdens I carry, whatever troubles I face, whatever heartbreak cracks me through and through, help me to lay it all down at the foot of the Cross. I know Jesus waits there for me. He calls to me, longing to wake me from my sleep. I have been unconscious of the good for too long. I don’t want to miss anymore of our time together. I don’t want to show up, sheepish, because I was away and abandoned You with no explanation. I have no excuse for not being present with You.
Your covenants are strong and true. They are forever. I pray that I trust in that and remember it at all times. I pray that no matter what, I am faithful as You are faithful. I pray that I partake in Your table, participating in Your bounty. I pray that I am satisfied with You. I know that there is no other satisfaction, so help me not hunt for it, weary and bone-tired, dragging my feet from one disappointing venture to the next. Instead, carry me to You, feed me Your truth, and bind me to You. Never let me go. I want to faithfully love You as You do me.
Jesus, in your patient and abundant name, I pray these things. Amen.
