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
Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.
Proverbs 27:20
This is a dramatic statement of fact regarding our nature as humans. Death cannot be satiated. It will always hunger for more. The unbridled desires of humans likewise cannot be satisfied. Our desires, symbolized here by “eyes” are like a fire. Feed a fire and it grows, it never says “enough.” This is not to say we should not have desires. There is such a thing as “healthy discontent.” It is the lack of contentment with our current status that can drive us to accomplish more or become better. What is in view in the Proverb is unhealthy discontentment. Fire is neither good nor evil. However, fire can bring good or harm to human lives. Fire in the hearth keeps us warm. Fire that is uncontained and jumps from the fireplace will burn down the house. This Proverb is simply saying, in memorable fashion, “We cannot satisfy our desires by giving them whatever they want.” What are your “eyes” reaching out and trying to possess? Do you move through life scanning for things you want, need, desire? Has your desire jumped out of the heart’s “hearth” and is out onto the floor and now it threatens to burn you?
Turn the eyes of your heart towards Christ right now. Cry out to him using this Psalm as your prayer.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:5
Ask Christ to forgive you for allowing your desires to run away from him towards things that cannot satisfy.
Receive his grace and enjoy his fellowship anew right now. He desires to forgive you; will you receive his forgiveness?
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 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.