Prayer: Lord, Give Me the Heart of the Magi

Do you want a heart to worship and honor Jesus more than you ever have before? If so, then you are going to love praying this prayer for the heart of the magi.

What is the heart of the magi?

The magi were “wise men” from the East who traveled a great distance to visit and worship Jesus when Jesus was born.

Matthew 2:1-12 tells us the story of the magi:

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way” (Matthew 2:1-12 NKJV).

The magi demonstrated a magnificent hunger for God in this passage. And just as clearly, we see that the heart of the magi was to worship God.

Here’s what I immediately notice about the heart of the magi:

• The magi studied the things of God; that is how they knew that Christ had been born. That is how they understood that the star was leading them to the Christ-child.
• These wise men traveled a long distance and went to great effort and personal expense to see Him. Their dedication is evident by their efforts!
• Lastly, when they did see Him, they worshipped Him and brought Him sacrificial gifts. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were costly gifts worthy of a king. They were sacrificial offerings. And although every person’s sacrifice looks different (in proportion to their ability), the point is that they gave their absolute best to Jesus.

Don’t you want to be that passionate about Jesus? I know I do.

Based on the beautiful heart of worship these magi demonstrated, I felt led to write a prayer for the heart of the magi.

If you want to have a heart of worship just like the magi did, won’t you pray this prayer with me today? Let’s pray together, asking the Lord to give us the heart of the magi.

Pray as follows:

“Father God, I come before You in Jesus’ name.

Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to the earth as a baby.

Thank You for helping Him live a perfect life. Thank You for sending Him to die on the cross–a death that I deserved, so that I may be saved. Thank You also that He is not in a manger nor on the cross anymore, Father; but He ever lives to make intercession for us. Thank You, Father. I praise You for Your goodness and mercy.

Father God, Jesus did so much for me that I know He deserves all my worship and effort.

And Father, I want to do everything that is in my power to honor Him. Jesus is my King, and He–and You–deserve all my attention; all my labor and effort; all my worship; and all my sacrifice and offerings.

Therefore, Father God, I ask You to fill me with passion for Jesus like the magi demonstrated. Give me every holy thing that was in the heart of the magi, Father; every divine hunger and every righteous thing that fueled them on their quest for the Savior.

Specifically, Father, I ask in Jesus’ name:

• That You would help me focus on Jesus and study Him through Your Word.
• Let me be obsessed with Your Word, and with discovering Your secrets in Your Word. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings to search it out (Proverbs 25:2). You have made me a king and a priest unto Yourself, Father. So, please, O Lord and Revealer of mysteries: Help me search out Your mysteries in Your Word.
• Your Word says “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV). Therefore, O righteous Father, please help me to put forth the labor and effort it takes to seek You with all my heart and find You.
• Even if I have to go to great personal expense to find You and grow close to You, Father, I pray that You would help me do so. Help me to invest in my own spiritual growth; my own mentoring; my own learning and discipleship; my own hands-on training and equipping.
• Teach me the way I should go along the way; guide me like You guided the magi, who followed Your star. I claim Your promise of Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).
• As I find You, Father, help me to worship You, Jesus, and Holy Spirit the way You deserve to be worshipped: with all my heart.
• Please help me to never appear before You empty-handed; as it says in Deuteronomy 16:16-17: “… they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17 NKJV). Your Word does not obligate me to give out of what I do not have, but You do say I should give sacrificially out of what I do have. So Father, please help me to bring You the gifts not only of my heart and worship, but also of offerings to Your name. Show me how, and continue to provide seed–for I am a sower.

Thank You, Abba Father. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Please give me the wisdom to seek You, Father, for wise men and women seek only You.

I love You, Holy Jesus. I love You, Holy Spirit. And I love You, my dear Heavenly Father.

Thank You for being my God and Father by the blood of my Lord and Savior–who was once born in a manger, but is now sitting at the right hand of God.

I worship You with all my heart. To You be all glory and honor and praise.

In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray, amen and amen.”

Beloved friend, did you pray this prayer for the heart of the magi?

If so, leave a comment below and tell me about your hunger for Jesus in this Advent season!