2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I have a dear friend that kept telling me that surrendering to God was not a force of will. It was his way of saying that he could not force himself to surrender. Recently he surrendered. We all rejoice in his salvation.

When I went to visit him to hear his testimony I was surprised at the simplicity of his turning to God for help. I expected something strong considering his “force of will” outlook. What had changed his mind?

“God is not a liar.”

He had joined us in bible studies and alternative church activities. He always had insightful probing questions but none of our answers ever seemed to come to a point of satisfaction for him. He had not yet found that force of will to believe.

Habakkuk 1:11-12 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god. Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

It was not our answers that had changed his mind. It was the power of God.

Romans 1:16a For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Psalm 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

God knows the thoughts of your meditations. There is not a single thought that escapes God’s notice. Consider this the next time you pray. You cannot lie to God. We do however lie to ourselves.

The first and primary consideration in prayer is interpersonal relationship. Since God knows your every thought, the primary purpose of prayer is to know Him and ourselves. It is in your prayer closet, where you and God are alone that the Spirit of Truth sheds light upon even our very thoughts.

Prayer in the morning gives you an opportunity to get in some private time before the demands of life interrupt. Time always seems to be a problem with us. God has called you to be a good steward. As such you have responsibilities within this life that you have to answer. God would not have you fail to be a good steward, nor would He have you ignore Him either.

Have you ever considered that as you go through your day God is with you and not only knows the desires of your heart but every thought you have all day long. Do you keep an awareness of that fact in the back of your mind, or do you act as if God is clueless?

Galatians 6:7a Be not deceived; God is not mocked:

Psalm 94:11, 19 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

The differences between these two verses in Psalm 94 are man’s thoughts of himself and man’s thoughts of the comforts of the Lord. The first is a life without respect of thought for the Lord, the second is a Godly consideration of thought.