Week 30 Day 5
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
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:24
Reflect
The nature of Christian hope is future-oriented. It is oriented toward the “eschaton,” or “the end.” We’re looking forward to the fullness of God’s kingdom, when all that is wrong in the world shall be put to right. God’s kingdom is already and not yet. It’s here in part but not yet here in fullness. His work of restoration has begun but it’s not yet been finished. These prophets had a forward-looking faith. They viewed their lives in the present in light of the hope of what God would accomplish in the future. They lived with the end in mind. They truly lived in line with what matters most. What matters most in the end matters most now.
Respond
Remembering what matters most in the end trains us to reject the trivial things that don’t matter now. What false gospels or false idols are you living for now? All of it pales in comparison to the hope that awaits us. Repent of it and look forward to our hope. Be reminded of what truly matters. Stop living for the fleeting things of the world that are passing away. Abide in him.
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.