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 3
Reflect:
Proverbs 3:11-12
11My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
Contrary to the prosperity gospel (which is really no gospel at all), believers face many trials and difficulties as we walk wisdom’s path. Placing our faith in Christ doesn’t mean that we will have a trouble-free life! We even find the writer of Hebrews quoting our proverb: “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” (Hebrew 12:5-6 NLT)
Hebrews 12 reminds us that we’re not to lose heart in our sufferings, but instead we should consider Jesus and the suffering He endured so that we won’t grow weary and give up. Reflecting on Jesus’ life empowers us to endure hardship as discipline. In fact, hardship is evidence that we are children of God and, as such, we will undergo some form of discipline when we need it.
“When trouble and sorrow come upon us, let us not complain against God. Let us remember that in allowing such trouble and sorrow to come upon us, God is disciplining us as children for our own good. Whatever trouble and persecution comes to us has been allowed by God. Men persecute us because of our obedience to Christ, but God uses that persecution to discipline us so that we might obey Christ all the more.” (Hale, ANTC)
Respond:
Are you open to God’s correction? He may be speaking to you through His word, circumstances, or other people. Are you willing to listen?
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 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.