How can we ensure our cries to God are genuine and not self-serving? Setting the Scene from Hosea 7:14 “They do not cry to Me from their hearts when they wail on their beds; for grain and new wine they gather themselves, but they turn away from Me.” (Hosea 7:14) Recognizing the Problem Israel’s cry was: • Loud, emotional, even painful. • Focused on getting “grain and new wine” — the comforts they wanted back. • Empty of true repentance or desire for God Himself. What a Genuine Cry Looks Like • Heart–Level, not performance: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) • Broken over sin, not just consequences: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) • Aiming for God’s glory, not personal gratification: “And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) Practical Ways to Guard Our Hearts • Daily confession — naming sin specifically so we stop blaming circumstances. • Scripture–soaked requests — letting God’s words shape what we ask. • Humble posture — fasting, kneeling, or silent waiting can remind us Who is in charge. • Gratitude first — thanking God reorients our desires from getting to worshiping. • Immediate obedience — acting on what He already said (Luke 6:46); obedience proves sincerity. Fruits We Can Expect • Peace and assurance, because “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14) • Transformation of desires — we begin wanting what delights Him. • Authentic intimacy with God, replacing ritualistic or crisis–driven prayers. Summing It Up Genuine cries rise from hearts surrendered to God, shaped by His Word, and aimed at His honor. When our focus shifts from “what I need” to “who You are,” our prayers move from self-serving noise to God-honoring communion. |
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