Book number three begins with scripture that points the way to pleasing God. Please read devotional #27 and Proverbs 15:8. Have you thought much about bringing joy or pleasure to the living God? Through prayer we can please our Lord. It is amazing how quickly we learn how to gain a favorable response from another by doing or promising to do, something that pleases them. It is cute when done by a child and the recipient is fully aware. But cute, does not come to mind with adults. Adults tend to call it manipulation. We will not turn the Lord's head by offering sacrifices with contrived motives to get a favorable response.
A very young granddaughter broke into tears because she was denied something she wanted. Her brother, just a few years older asked her this question; "Do you know what crying will get ya?" She shook her head no amidst the tears. He said, "Nothing"! What he was saying is; that one doesn't get you what you think you want.
The Lord looks to the thoughts and intentions of the heart! We may not be clear at times on our own motives. But we can examine our own motives by a question; Are we after something when we sacrifice, or are we after God? Are we looking for God to shape our prayer or are we seeking for God to be turned by our sacrifice?
The right motive of heart brings pleasure to God. Isn't it an amazing thing to consider that we can bring pleasure to God through prayer? (Please obtain prayer booklet #3 at the welcome center.)