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
Galatians 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)
Yesterday’s devotion mentioned how we are promised that fruit will be produced in our life if we abide in Christ. In fact, we saw that we are promised the full joy of Jesus in our life as we abide in Christ. Galatians 5:22 says the fruit of “joy” is produced when we abide in Christ. Joy is a natural byproduct of a genuine relationship with God, just like in the same way we’d expect an apple tree to make apples.
And here’s the really fantastic news. The fruit of joy isn’t produced by the believer, but rather by the Holy Spirit working in the person abiding in Christ. That’s where the joy comes from. It is the deep inner rejoicing that is promised to those who rest in Christ.
The “fruit of joy” is simply the life of Christ lived out in a Christian.
Is joy a natural byproduct in your life? Is there anything you’re doing to hinder Christ’s joy from being lived out in your own life?
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:
Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.
Proverbs 7:24-27