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 11
Reflect:
Proverbs 11:25
25 A generous person will be enriched,
and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.
Generosity! It’s the quality of being kind and unselfish with one’s money and other valuables. It’s a theme we find all throughout the Bible. In fact, the Israelites’ lack of generosity is one of the sins that the prophets rebuked and warned them to repent of. The Proverb is not specific as to what we’re to be generous with; it could be our money, help, advice, or all of these things. The point is clear: be generous!
Generosity is a paradox! By giving freely, a person has plenty. This is hard to get our heads wrapped around but nevertheless true. Generosity is part of God’s character, and He wants it to be a part of ours, too. You only have to look around at all God has created and His generosity. The air we breathe, the sounds we hear, the food we taste and enjoy…all are tangible forms of His goodness. Perhaps His greatest form of generosity is seen in the way He has demonstrated His love for us by offering His Son to atone for our sins! The things we have to be generous with seem so small when compared to God’s generosity towards us.
When we think of God’s goodness towards us, it motivates us to give of our time, material resources, hospitality, and friendship. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38 CSB)
Respond:
Do some self-evaluation today: are you a generous person? Are there areas in your life where you are lacking a generous spirit? If so, why are you holding back? What would it look like for you personally to embrace Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”? (Acts 20:35)
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 6:6
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.