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 15
Reflect:
Proverbs 15:4
4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,
but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
“Communication is a large subject in the book of Proverbs. The proper use and reception of words were critically important to the sages. Proverbs is a book that imparts advice about how to live wisely in a way that avoids problems and promotes success, and this advice comes in the form of words. The right words bring life, and the wrong words bring death. In the words of 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Longman)
Fools hurt others with reckless words, but the wise use of words bring healing; words that bring life! It’s true—a wise person has the opportunity to use their tongue to heal the brokenhearted. A wise person is like a tree of life. As I write, I’m looking at a massive oak tree right outside my window; it’s solid, stable, strong, and growing; it shades a considerable part of the lawn on this hot summer day. It offers a cool place to rest for a tired and weary soul. Imagine the sage saying to you, “You see this tree, the one Jim just described, when you use words wisely, this is what you’re like—you’re a solid source of strength and growth to those God has placed around you.” It is the power of the tongue.
“What we say makes a lasting impact. You can produce great good, but it also hurts others deeply.” (Anders)
Respond:
The words from the tongue reflect the condition of the heart. Think about the words that come out of your mouth, what kind of insight can you gain? Do your words draw people near or do they push people away?
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 12:11
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.