“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Father, I see much wisdom in these words. I also ask for these two things.
First, do not let me be entangled by telling or believing lies.
Let me be true to my word and speak the truth in love; by the words I say and the way I allow others to perceive me. Do not let me put on airs or mislead anyone into thinking I am something I am not.
And do not let me be misled by the lies or deceptions of others. Help me see truth by shining Your light to dispel the darkness of lies and deception.
Second, let me live with what I need. Not in poverty and not in riches. Each of these might cause me to overlook You and focus on my circumstances. For in both directions, I have seen people take their eyes off You.
If the need is so great, it can be a temptation to sin by stealing and cursing You. And if the excess is too great, it can lead to pride, greed, and a self-sufficiency that disregards the need for You.
These are wise words Father, and they are my prayer. Amen
Daily Bible Prayer 