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 21
Reflect:
Proverbs 21:21
21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Righteousness and faithful love are closely related to wisdom. Remember, Jesus is the power and wisdom of God. He’s the embodiment of righteousness and faithful love. (See Proverbs 1:18-2:16). And those who pursue righteousness (Jesus) will find it.
Think about what it means to pursue something. Does haphazard come to mind? No. We don’t use the word “pursuit” to describe a haphazard approach. To pursue something means to follow or chase, to continue with or to try to get someone or something.
Have you ever run a 5K before? Many people who have will fix their attention on one person who’s ahead of them and then try to catch up with them. Or have you ever seen a dog on a scent before? The dog is unceasingly focused on the scent until it finds what it’s looking for. That’s the idea of pursuing something.
Jesus tells us what this pursuit of righteousness and faithful love Looks like when He said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT) He says we’re to “Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door. (Matthew 7:7-8 TPT)
Respond:
If you want to know God, then seek after Jesus! We can have a relationship with Him if we pursue Him. He’s telling us to be dogged and to not give up. Always ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give these things to you. The more you talk to Him, the more you will be able to recognize His voice when He speaks to you. That’s the wonderful thing about the pursuit of righteousness and faithful love. It’s there if we seek after it!
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 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.