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
Luke 2:29-32
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
Isaiah 49:6
I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 52:10 The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Simeon is waiting for the “consolation of Israel” Consolation of Israel is a phrase referring to the Messianic Hope. The messianic hope was the promise of a king and a kingdom. Jesus was the king and when he came he began declaring repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
The messianic hope is was not just for Israel. It was a promise to the nations fulfilled through Israel.
Praise and Thank God that Jesus came not just to a select ethnic or social group but to all people.
Thank God for His mercy.
Pray for those serving overseas. Ask God to use them to make His name known. Ask God to encourage them this Christmas.
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