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 2:10-11
“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.”
Merry Christmas! May you be filled with “Great Joy” this morning because of the Gospel of Jesus. The Gospel ushers in an eternal joy. Jesus, our eternal Savior, is the starting point for everlasting joy. It’s not a package, or something else we’re chasing after that falls short in the end of fulfilling the longings we have for lasting joy. The Good News of great joy is a reality for Christians that extends to every circumstance in our lives.
- Believe the announcement of joy. (Receive the Gospel.)
- Then enter into the experience of joy. (Remain in Jesus’ love and keep His commandments.)
- And be resilient as you anticipate a future joy, which is hope in eternity and the second coming!
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