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 2:10-14
Luke tells us the shepherds were living outside in fields watching over their flocks when suddenly the Angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (ESV)
Great Joy has been, and is, proclaimed loudly in the Gospel of Jesus, and it’s available to all who listen and believe its proclamation.
Believe the announcement of joy! Choose today to live in the joy of the Lord. Take some time right now and just thank the Lord for all he has done for you.
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