Week 41 Day 3
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
Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth and his heart was filled with pain.
Exodus 3:7 I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.
Duet. 7:7-8 The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other people, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers and that he brought you out with a mighty hand.
Reflect
God is an emotional being. Often we do not think of God as being emotional. He is not driven by emotion but He does feel emotion. He does have concern and compassion. He is love. Do you think about God as distant or cold and calculating? Do you think about God like a supercomputer? Able to handle any problem but not really caring. God feels. His feelings are an expression of reality. His feelings do not dictate reality. We are made in God’s image as emotional beings. We feel, but we must not let those feelings control us. Feelings of sorrow or anger can instruct us but they do not have to drive us. If you feel fear, sorrow, sadness, or feel empty, take a moment and reflect on your feelings. What might your emotions be trying to teach you?
Respond
Think about God as an emotional being. Someone who understands your heartache and concerns. Bring those concerns to God. He is interested in how you feel. If you feel emotion or a lack of emotion in your relationship with God, talk with God about that now.
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:
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.