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 8
Reflect:
Proverbs 8:30-31
30 I was a skilled craftsman beside him.
I was his delight every day,
always rejoicing before him.
31 I was rejoicing in his inhabited world,
delighting in the children of Adam.
I love the thought of wisdom depicted as a skilled craftsman. My son is a skilled craftsman. I’m amazed at what he can see in a pile of lumber. To me, it’s just a stack of wood. But to him, oh my, it’s a piece of art. Wisdom is an attribute of God that has always been, it’s part of who God is. We too can stand in amazement at the wonder of God’s wisdom. Think about the joy of God’s wisdom and the beauty it brings to creation. It’s a wonderful thought to contemplate. The magnificent thing about our passage for today is that verses 22-31 parallel Jesus being present at creation! It’s like we get a glimpse into the heart of God. Look at what the New Testament says about Jesus:
John 1:1-3 (NIV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Colossians 1:16 (NIV) “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Hebrews 1:2 (NIV) “But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”
1 Corinthians 1:24; 30 (NIV) “But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God… It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV) “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Respond:
Take time today to think deeply on these verses. Think about what it means personally for you that Jesus is called the wisdom of God and in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Let that thought shape you.
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 29:18
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.