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 23
Reflect:
Proverbs 23:29-35
Saying 19
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32 In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
35 “They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt!
They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”
When I was a young man, I drank way too much. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it is the truth. I can testify to the validity of our proverb today—everything the sage says is true! Nothing good comes from excessive drinking. Alcoholism is a disease that affects countless people today. But alcoholism is not the only problem with excessive drinking. It’s a moral problem because it involves a choice that can bring trouble and danger to others.
Alcohol is not something we play around with. The moment we exceed our limit, we move out of our right minds. “The immediate pleasure promised by alcohol cannot compensate for the bitter reality revealed in the end. It bites like a snake and poisons you like a viper.” (Anders)
The Bible is clear: we’re not to become intoxicated (Proverbs 20:1; Romans 13:13; Ephesians 5:18). If you choose to drink, today might be a good time to evaluate your practices.
Respond:
Determine today, by God’s grace, not to be a slave to alcohol.
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 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.