Luke 24:27  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (NIV)

Luke 24:32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (NIV)

Luke 24:45  Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  (NIV)

—

Here is a prayer to pray. 

Here is a promise to claim. 

Here, there is purpose to live.

The prayer to pray simply follows the experience of the people who met the risen Jesus. He opened the Scriptures so they could understand. He gave them clarity, meaning, purpose, and assurance. 

When it comes to knowing and experiencing Jesus, what is unclear to you? 

When it comes to living a full and meaningful life, as Jesus promised, what are you missing? 

When it comes to living for something bigger than yourself, where do you find that purpose? 

When it comes to all the things about Jesus that you still don’t understand, where do you find calm assurance? 

These people who were hiding because of fear of what might happen to them after the crucifixion became the boldest of all men and women. 

These people who were afraid of their shadows learned that even death was not a powerful enough foe to separate them from their Savior.

It’s a good habit to cultivate to spend time alone with God each day, reading His Word, the Bible. Before and as we do, a good accompanying habit is to ask Him to open our minds to what we’re reading. It’s a good habit to use one of my favorite tools: “Help me understand.” 

When He helps us understand, we see what we haven’t seen before. We hear what we have not heard. We find strength and courage. We discover full and meaningful lives. We discover a measure of fearlessness, boldness, and confidence we’ve never yet known. 

—

I will ask Jesus to open my mind to understand and live his wonderful words of life.

—

Our Father, please open our minds to understand your words of truth and life. Shape us for significance. Empower us to live full and meaningful lives. Make us carriers of your grace and mercy, your kindness and love. Amen.