Build our House, O Lord
Photo by Josh Olalde on Unsplash
A strong construction matters, but without God's blessing, all our work is useless.
A Morning Prayer
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Psalm 127:1a NIV
Good Father, this morning you remind us that "unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Father, we are residents of many houses: our body, our family, our church, our profession, our community, our nation, and the world. None of it has a chance of lasting success unless you build it.
Father, we confess our driving self-sufficiency. We deeply believe that we can know and build what is best for us in every area of our lives. Yes, we can achieve much because you created us in your image. We have amazing capabilities.
Often we forget that all our capacities for good endeavors are gifts from your hand alone. When we forget this, even though we build stunning edifices in our lives, if not done with you for your glory, in the end they will be for us only ashes and dust.
You, O, Father, are the architect and builder of our lives. Every moment, every circumstance comes to us stamped with your will. Help us then to submit ourselves to your loving will. Open our eyes to see how you have our lives under construction and every area. Grant us faith to "know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”1
On this day, Lord, we ask that you build our many houses so that we do not spend ourselves striving for emptiness. Let your presence fill us today, so our actions uplift your honor and your glory. Then, we store treasures in a place they will last forever.2 In this way, we build our best lives now and for eternity.
In the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
1And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
2Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19–21, NIV)