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 22
Reflect:
Proverbs 22:5
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. (NIV)
As we’ve seen throughout the proverbs, there are two paths: folly and wisdom. The wicked take the path of folly. You want to know what that path is like? Well, our proverb today tells us—it is full of snares and pitfalls. In other words, it’s a very difficult path to walk. All kinds of difficulties and troubles lie in wait for those who decide to traverse folly’s path.
I couldn’t help but think about a mousetrap. Oh, how the cheese is so tempting to the mouse! Closer and closer the mouse gets, thinking it’s going to get what it desires, but instead, it gets the snap of a sprung trap! Sin works the same way, enticing us to come and partake of its wonders, only to have the destructive force of its lies come crashing down on us.
The way we avoid snares and pitfalls is by staying as far away from them as we can. This is done by walking the path of wisdom.
Respond:
Maybe the path of the wicked looks attractive to you today. Rouse yourself! Wake up! Let the light of Christ shine brightly around you so that you can see those snares and pitfalls for what they truly are! Yes, let the light of Christ shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. (Isaiah 60:1) So wake up, you sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. (Ephesians 5:14) Walk Wisdom’s path.
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.