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
Read: Proverbs Chapter 11
Reflect:
For October, I’d like you to simply read slowly through the entire proverb each day. Think about the verses that have stood out to you over this year, the things God has spoken to you about, and the wisdom that was revealed to you. Use this time as a summary review of our time together over the last nine months.
As you read the Proverbs, you’ll notice that they are comprised of different translations. My hope is that doing this will help you to read Proverbs afresh. Following the reading is a short prayer that sums up the proverb. God Bless!
Proverbs 11 (Modern English Version)
A false balance is abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame;
but with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,
but the perverseness of transgressors will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the upright will direct his way,
but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
but transgressors will be taken by their schemes.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
and the hope of unjust men perishes.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
and the wicked comes in his place.
9 A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the just will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who is void of wisdom despises his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 A talebearer reveals secrets,
but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15 He who puts up a pledge for a stranger will suffer for it,
and he who hates being a pledge is secure.
16 A gracious woman retains honor,
but ruthless men retain riches.
17 The merciful man does good to his own soul,
but he who is cruel troubles his own body.
18 The wicked works a deceitful work,
but to him who sows righteousness will be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tends to life,
so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are abomination to the Lord,
but such as are upright in their way are His delight.
21 Though be assured, the wicked will not be unpunished,
but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout,
so is a fair woman who is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases;
and there is one who withholds more than is right,
but it leads to poverty.
25 The generous soul will be made rich,
and he who waters will be watered also himself.
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,
but blessing will be upon the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good procures favor,
but he who seeks mischief, it will come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish as a branch.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and he who wins souls is wise.
31 If the righteous will be recompensed in the earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner.
Respond:
Father, thank You for the wise counsel of friends and fellow believers You’ve placed in my life to give me guidance and wise instruction. I pray I would always be willing to listen to their advice. Holy Spirit, I pray You guide and direct my path, and that You would speak to me through Your word, the circumstances of my life, and the people You’ve given me the privilege of living in community with. May my response always be a resounding “Yes!” to Your leading and guidance in every area of my life. I ask all of this in Your name, King Jesus. Amen.
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:
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.