Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the LORD, created them. (Isaiah 45:8 New Living Translation)

Father, this is my prayer today: that the heavens would open wide and pour out your righteousness upon me, upon my family and friends, upon everyone. Turmoil abounds all over the world today; perhaps never was your justice and honesty needed more than now. Everywhere I look exists terror and fighting or the threat of it. Many governments seemly don’t care for their people but only their greed. Even nature groans with earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, drought, fires, blizzards and excess heat. Who can make sense of it all?

 Earth materials make up the human body, so earth in this verse can mean let each of us open ourselves to see your salvation and then to know your righteousness – decency and morality – manifesting in our lives. Oh, that it would be true! Father, people who do not know Jesus see visions of Him. Bring your word of salvation to them. For those in countries, like my own, where churches abound, open eyes to understand your peace and love. Open my own eyes more. Let me see your glory so that I’ll be so full of you, it flows out of me like a too-saturated sponge.

 You, Lord, created people and You also created a means of rescue so we can become your child, bringing us your righteousness, meaning a right standing with You. A standing so that I bring my burdens to You and You hear and answer my prayers. A standing that makes You not only my God but also my heavenly Father – a very good Father who plans for my very best. And not only me but everyone else who accepts Christ as their Savior (Jeremiah 29:11).

 Thank you, Father, that You are able to do this; for You, nothing is impossible even though it is for people (Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 18:27). Touch my heart today and make me more like your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray this in his holy Name because He gives me access to You. Amen.