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 21:31
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory comes from the Lord. (CSB)
No matter how powerful someone may think they are, the truth is, they’re limited in their power. Look around today and you’ll see many who think they control their own destiny. However, they couldn’t be more mistaken. There is a King of kings who reigns over the universe—the Lord God Almighty—the sovereign one.
This proverb offers us the best perspective on man’s responsibility and God’s sovereignty. We are not to sit back and do nothing and expect that God will work things out. That would be a foolish thing to do. At the same time, we’re not to make plans as though God is not involved.
God’s control over the outcome of things doesn’t relieve us from the responsibility of doing all we can to prepare for the task. We’re to do the work at hand, and then we’re to trust the outcome to the Lord. God is the one who’s in charge of the universe, and we’re not. The sooner we realize this, the better.
Respond:
“If God maintains the sun and the planets in bright and ordered beauty, He can keep us.” (F.B. Meyer) Will you trust the Lord today with your plans?
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 27:19
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.