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 29
Reflect:
Proverbs 29:3
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Wisdom is valued in this Proverb—folly is the vice. When you read over a verse like this it can be easy to say, “I’m not participating in prostitution,” and then move on to the next proverb. But I think this would be a mistake. Rather than move on, think about the ways you may have acted foolishly. If you’re like me, there are probably many ways!
One way we act foolishly is when we look towards other things to give us only what God can give us. When we do this, we worship at the altar of the god of self. Materialism, pride and ego, power, status, and wealth are all various forms of modern-day Idolatry. 1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” When we consort with these idols, it’s as if we’re consorting with a prostitute and, in the end, it will destroy us. Folly is pursuing after the things John listed. They’re the things that many people work hard to acquire, but in the end, those things fail to give people the hope they genuinely desire.
Wisdom is to be cherished like rubies; its value is priceless! The pursuit of wisdom begins with a heart that is rightly aligned with God. Wisdom is to be valued so highly because it lets us see life from God’s perspective. Only then can we live life as He intended it to be lived. A life aligned with godly wisdom is the best life possible.
Reflection:
God’s word tells us to ask for godly wisdom: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5 NASB). Don’t squander the life God has given you, but instead run after wisdom!
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 24:3-4
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.