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: Proverbs Chapter 25
Reflect
Proverbs 25:11
11 A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.
I’m sure there have been times in your life when someone has spoken words that have stayed with you. Now sometimes that can be because they were mean and hateful words, but that’s not the kind of words I have in mind. I’m talking about words that spoke lasting truth to you. Words that fill you with gratitude. Words spoken at the appropriate time. The kind of words that can change your direction, encourage you and give you strength. These kinds of words are like gold apples set against a silver sculpture—they’re beautiful!
What makes these words so beautiful is that it’s not just saying the right thing, but rather it’s having the wisdom to size up the situation and say the right thing at the right time.
When Patty and I first plugged into a church, we met this older couple that we loved to hang out with. We’d play cards together, eat dinner, and a host of other things. We became great friends. One night while over their house for dinner, I said something along the lines of “how proud I was of Patty.” Our friend’s response was not what I had expected. She said, “No, Jim, you think Patty’s dumb.” I was stunned and immediately said, “No I don’t!” I had no idea where our friend was coming from or why she would say something like that. Really, I was dumbfounded. Then she said, “When we’re talking about stuff you often tell Patty, ‘Come on Patty, don’t be so dumb.'”
Oh, our friend was right, I did say that! But that wasn’t what I meant. I couldn’t believe that I had even said such things. I’m grateful for her honesty and willingness to rebuke me. Now reflecting back some thirty years, I can honestly say, I don’t think I’ve ever said those words to Patty since then.
Our friend’s words were a well-tuned, skillfully constructed, beautifully spoken, and of lasting value. They were apples of gold in silver settings!
Respond: Ask God to help you be mindful of the words you use today. Don’t just assume you need to say something. Sometimes being quiet is the best thing we can do. Pray and ask God to give you wisdom in when to speak. And as you have the opportunity, choose to speak words of lasting value.
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 Week’s Scripture Memory:
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.