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
6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
David begins to analyze key data points in history. We have it short, poetic form…but it is likely he is remembering in detail the whole story of the Exodus as he writes this Psalm.
He remembers God’s amazing power and faithfulness to the people of Israel and he is remembering Israel’s amazing lack of faithfulness to God.
He also, no doubt, reflects on his own personal lack of faithfulness to God and God’s amazing forgiveness shown to him.
Reflect on what you can remember of God’s faithfulness demonstrated in the story of the Bible. Think of what he did in people’s lives in history.
Think of a time when you failed and God forgave you.
Thank him that this verse is true in your personal experience… “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed my transgressions from me.”
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:
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves
Proverbs 11:17