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 9
Reflect:
Proverbs 9:12 (NLT)
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
I don’t think there is a more precise way of stating the value of wisdom. Clearly, wisdom brings rewards and scorning it brings suffering. I’m sure you’re just like me, you can think of ways you’ve seen this verse fleshed out, both in good and bad ways. Sadly, there are more times than I’d like to admit in which I personally lived as the one who scorned wisdom.
This verse speaks to one’s individual character. Each of us will either benefit or suffer because of our own choices. There is no one else we can blame when it comes down to our choices. We’re the one who makes the decision. “Your character is the one thing you cannot borrow, lend, or escape, for it is you.” (Kidner)
Yes, wisdom and folly both call for us to come and enjoy their pleasures. Wisdom brings true joy, while folly offers a counterfeit joy, leaving us with pain and regret. The choice is clear—we’re to choose wisdom’s path!
Respond:
You have a choice. Make today the day you begin to reap the benefits of embracing wisdom. Look over verse 12 again: “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.” Decide who you want to end up like. The choice is yours.
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.