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 23
Reflect:
Proverbs 23:12
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
The path of wisdom is not a passive journey. When we walk with the wise, we tend to grow wise! But that growth doesn’t just happen. It takes effort. Intentionality and effort are the virtues at the heart of this proverb. The first line says to “apply your heart to instruction.” The word “Apply” means to practice. In other words, train—train yourself to walk in wisdom. It means that we use our abilities and strength to learn all that wisdom has to teach us. This effort often results in the betterment of ourselves—and in the end, reflects Christ more clearly.
The second line says to apply “Your ears to the words of knowledge.” Specifically, it means to pay attention to what others have to say. Don’t become set in your ways, but be open to correction. It’s the fool who thinks they’ve got life all figured out—don’t be like this.
The absolute best thing for us is that we know Christ. Placing our faith in Jesus is what justifies us. Justification is a one-time act. Once we’re justified before God, then the sanctification process begins, and over time we begin to become more and more like Christ. This, my friends, is a beautiful thing! Oh, that we would be like Paul and press on to attain everything Christ desires for us (Phil. 3:12). We keep “pressing on” by actively choosing what is right and good as we strive for holiness, fleeing from sin, and making every effort to grow in our faith.
Respond: Decide today—apply your heart, turn your ear to wisdom—and walk in the wisdom of Christ. Determine to follow Paul’s example—Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12 CSB)
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 4:7-9
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”