Psalm 138:1, I give thanks, o Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise.

Praying with my whole heart, in our day, has come to mean “with real feeling.”  Some avoid using written prayers believing that making up a prayer out of one’s own mind is truly allowing the Holy Spirit to work.  For some prayer becomes an exercise in generating the proper sentiments within themselves.  Some have stop praying because their hearts are “no longer in it.”  They don’t feel sincere.  It has become common to associate sincerity with spontaneity.

Patrick Henry Reardon in his book “Christ in the Psalms,” writes, “When we speak of prayer ‘from the heart’ we mean from the core of ourselves, the center of decision and resolve, a region vastly deeper than our emotions.”

Prayer is a decision to turn our self toward God, to seek out God and to direct our prayers toward him. Trying to find sincerity within ourselves takes our attention off God and places it on ourselves.

The Psalmist writes, “I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

The true temple of God is Jesus Christ our Lord.  The name for which we give thanks is Jesus, who, came in the fullness of God’s time to redeem those under the law.

The psalmist concludes, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.”

Prayer: Lord I give thanks to you with my whole heart for in Jesus Christ you have glorified your name.  When I call, you answer.  You are my strength though I am weak.  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe.  You stretched forth your hand on the cross.  Make good your saving purpose in me and strengthen my trust in the saving work of your hands.  In Jesus name.