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 27
Reflect:
For October, I’d like you to simply read slowly through the entire proverb each day. Think about the verses that have stood out to you over this year, the things God has spoken to you about, and the wisdom that was revealed to you. Use this time as a summary review of our time together over the last nine months.
As you read the Proverbs, you’ll notice that they are comprised of different translations. My hope is that doing this will help you to read Proverbs afresh. Following the reading is a short prayer that sums up the proverb. God Bless!
Proverbs 27 (The Living Bible)
Don’t brag about your plans for tomorrow—wait and see what happens.
2 Don’t praise yourself; let others do it!
3 A rebel’s frustrations are heavier than sand and rocks.
4 Jealousy is more dangerous and cruel than anger.
5 Open rebuke is better than hidden love!
6 Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!
7 Even honey seems tasteless to a man who is full; but if he is hungry, he’ll eat anything!
8 A man who strays from home is like a bird that wanders from its nest.
9 Friendly suggestions are as pleasant as perfume.
10 Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s. Then you won’t need to go to a distant relative for help in your time of need.
11 My son, how happy I will be if you turn out to be sensible! It will be a public honor to me.
12 A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them. The simpleton never looks and suffers the consequences.
13 The world’s poorest credit risk is the man who agrees to pay a stranger’s debts.
14 If you shout a pleasant greeting to a friend too early in the morning, he will count it as a curse!
15 A constant dripping on a rainy day and a cranky woman are much alike!
16 You can no more stop her complaints than you can stop the wind or hold onto anything with greasy hands.
17 A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron.
18 A workman may eat from the orchard he tends; anyone should be rewarded who protects another’s interests.
19 A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.
20 Ambition and death are alike in this: neither is ever satisfied.
21 The purity of silver and gold can be tested in a crucible, but a man is tested by his reaction to men’s praise.
22 You can’t separate a rebel from his foolishness though you crush him to powder.
23-24 Riches can disappear fast. And the king’s crown doesn’t stay in his family forever—so watch your business interests closely. Know the state of your flocks and your herds; 25-27 then there will be lambs’ wool enough for clothing and goats’ milk enough for food for all your household after the hay is harvested, and the new crop appears, and the mountain grasses are gathered in.
Respond:
Father, help me to avoid being a quarrelsome person, especially with those closest to me. I’m grateful for the relationships You’ve given me. I pray that my actions toward others would reflect the love You’ve shown me. Thank you for relationships where we can be like iron and sharpen and build up each other’s lives. Lord, teach me to be content. I pray I would have the strength, endurance, and courage to praise Your name in whatever situation I find myself in. Father, all praise belongs to You and Your Son; I praise Your name and thank You for Your loving care. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.