Week 26 Day 4
I. Prayer to enter the Lord’s presence:
Be still for a moment. “Lord, I give the day that is now past to you. It is yours. I give the day that is to come to you; help me to see where you are working and to join you there. Speak to me during these moments. I commit them and myself to you.”
II. Prayer of Confession:
“Lord, you are faithful to forgive me and cleanse me of my sin when I confess it to you. I confess my sin(s) of ______________. Thank you for forgiveness.” (1 John 1:9)
III. Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Choose to be thankful, speak out loud of what God has done.
“Thank you, Father, for _________________. Fill my heart and my mouth with gratitude throughout this day.”
IV. Scripture Reflection
Read
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 2but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him. Romans 16:25
Reflect
The “secret things of God” refers to the gospel. Of course the gospel of Jesus is no longer a secret it has been fully made known. This “hiddenness” of the Gospel refers to the fact that is was being revealed by God over time. In ages past the prophets only saw in part what we now know in full. A Jewish friend recently told me that he is still waiting for the Messiah to come. We believe he has come. This knowledge or experience of the gospel is our sacred trust. If you follow Christ this is your sacred trust. You must be found faithful with that trust. Contemplate what that might mean for you.
Respond
Your stewardship is all that God has given you. Every experience, relationship, gift, talent, opportunity is a part of your stewardship. This includes every pain and problem. All that has happened is part of God shaping your life in a way that you can uniquely reveal him and bring him glory. You don’t have to figure it all out. Isn’t that a relief? You only have to do your best to be found faithful today. What is next, right now, that God wants you to be faithful with?
V. Prayer for others:
Pray specifically for the concerns of your life and the lives of others.
VI. Prayer of commitment:
“Lord God, I commit to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself. Empower me today to love you and others with everything that I am.” (Luke 10:27)
This Month’s Scripture Memory:
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.