“Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness” (Psalm 119:36).

What a practical and powerful prayer. In the previous few verses, the psalmist prayed,

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes” (119:33);

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law” (119:34);

“Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments” (119:35).

Then he prayed that the Lord would “incline” his heart unto His testimonies (119:36). This word natah (na-TA) means “to bend, stretch out, and turn.” Imagine that! He prayed, “LORD, please bend my heart, stretch it out to You and Your Word. Turn my heart to You!” That’s a great prayer. Come to think of it. That’s a great prayer for you and me as well.

I am really challenged by this: Let’s together ask the Lord to “incline” our hearts to Him and His Word today.