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 15
Reflect:
Proverbs 15:3
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.
It may seem at times that the world is run amuck. Especially in times like these. As I write, uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 have put things into a tailspin. The stock market is down, businesses are closing, schools are shut down, and uncertainty has amped-up exponentially.
Then you read our verse for today, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.” (NLT) The theological word for this is “omniscience.” It means “all-knowing.” You won’t find the word “omniscience” in the scriptures, yet it’s clearly seen in the Bible. Omniscience teaches the absolute universality of God’s divine knowledge. God knows the world in its totality. That includes individual hearts and minds. You see, He knows us. He knows you better than you could even imagine!
For the wicked, this verse stands as a warning. But for the godly, it offers encouragement and comfort. God is not an indifferent observer; He’s not been taken off-guard by the current state of things. No, it’s quite the opposite; He’s actively involved in our world. This verse and others like it strengthen and encourage us to stand firm in our faith.
“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT) The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do. (Psalm 33:13-15 NLT)
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. (Hebrews 4:13 NLT)
Respond:
God knows your heart. He knows what you’re feeling. He knows what we are doing, even at this very moment. He’s watching over you with love and protection. Let that truth sink in. Take time to thank Him for His involvement in your life. Commit to trusting Him as He guides you toward the right path.
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 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.