Week 43 Day 2
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
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (New International Version)
Reflect
In the Old Testament animal sacrifices were made to God as part of Israel’s worship. The bodies of animals were laid on the altar and the animals perished to make atonement for Israel’s sins. Paul uses the word “Soma” (Bodies) to describe our offering to God. We are to offer our bodies continually on the altar as living sacrifices to God. Our living sacrifices are not to atone for sin, Christ did that by giving his body on the cross. Our living sacrifices are offerings of gratitude. The animals did not give a “part” of themselves they gave their all. The same is true with Christ’s sacrifice. The implications are clear, we don’t give God a “portion” of our lives to him, we offer all to him. We may give a tithe of our income, or a portion of our time in service to others…but in fact everything in and of our lives belongs to him.
Respond
What is a practical application of the fact that your entire life belongs to God as a living sacrifice? Think and pray this through. What attitude are you “keeping for yourself?” What about your words or your spending or your time use? Do you see some of it as being “yours?”
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.