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
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
This is Habakkuk’s response to all that God has said to him. His questions were valid and honest. God’s responses were puzzling at times, but of course, honest. Now he responds in the way that reveals the direction of his heart. He confesses his decision, his choice to be content in God alone.
Remember his “feeling legs” were like jelly, here his “faith legs” are like those of a deer. “Jelly” legs cannot stand on level ground, “faith” legs, like those of a deer are stable in dangerous terrain.
If you contemplate this passage deeply is extraordinarily challenging. Though I lose everything I will find joy and contentment in God.
No one, even Habakkuk is ever there “perfectly” but this is the direction we want to go in our hearts, minds, and lives.
Spend the time you have left talking to God, or to yourself…about this passage. Let it, let God challenge you deeply.
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 31:8
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.