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 5
Reflect:
Proverbs 5:21
21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord,
and he examines all your paths.
“For your ways are in full view of the Lord.” Now that’s a sobering thought! Each one of us is accountable to God. The path we choose is literally before the eyes of the Lord; even the things done in secret are seen by God. God sees and knows all that we do.
This makes me think of Peter, denying Jesus three times. You remember the story. “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Peter exclaimed for the third time. And right then, Jesus turned and looked at him. Can you imagine what it must have felt like for Peter? Oh my! I have to admit, sometimes I act as though no one is watching me when it comes to my own sin. Maybe it’s because we live in the “already not yet” Kingdom of God, as we wait for Jesus’ return. Just because I can’t see Him physically, doesn’t mean that He isn’t actively involved in every aspect of my life. So, when I’m short with Patty, treat somebody unkindly, or just fail to act in line with God’s commands, I should remember that He is looking at me with those same eyes that watched Peter deny Him.
Our proverb reminds us—it reminds me—that we may be able to hide our sins and our shortcomings from others, but we’ll never be able to hide them from God. And the opposite is true, too. When we’re kind and loving towards others, when we stand for justice and righteousness, He sees those things too, for everything we do is before His eyes!
Respond:
Search your heart. If there is something you need to repent of, would you give it to God and rest in His love, mercy, and forgiveness?
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 15:25
The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.