Pray:
Ask God to orient or reorient you to himself. Confess any known sin. Thank him for his forgiveness. Be still and reflect on Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God’s word. Pray for others in your life that they too would know and love God today.
Read:
Psa. 96:1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Understand:
A new song is not something disconnected with the past or the flow of Biblical history. It is a fresh expression of the old, old song (story). Think of hearing an old song, one you have heard many times…but suddenly understanding it’s meaning, or seeing it applied in a personal way. -Praise his name means to “bless him” for his character…who he is. -Proclaim his salvation means to “report good news”…in this case the good news that God saves he doesn’t just judge. -Declare his glory means simply to “tell, repeat” his high status…let thoughts of his fill your mind and mouth.
Reflect:
Who do you admire? Who would you love to meet, be proud to know? Who or what do you talk and think the most about? What does it mean to you that you know God? Is that thought amazing to you or not so much? Apply: From what you have just read and considered what is a real implication/application for your life today?
Live:
(Personalize this prayer for today, make it specific to the circumstances that face you.) Ask God to lead you through his Spirit as you go through your day. Ask him to bring to mind the truth of the gospel and its implications for what you will encounter today. Tell him “Yes” to his will today and ask him for his power and protection to live this “yes.” Ask him to create and reveal opportunities to proclaim the good news today.