 Prayer Journal
Week 13 God never ceases to speak to us, but the noise of the world without and the tumult of our passions within bewilder us and prevent us from listening to him. (Francois Fenelon) This Week’s Scripture
Adoration Psalm 72:18-19 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! For the Beauty of the Earth (verse 1) For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. (Folliot S. Pierpoint) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:8-10) O holy and merciful God, we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience, nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will. We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, neither have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers, and we have passed unheeding on our way. For all of this, we ask you to forgive us of our sins. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. (United Methodist Book of Worship) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving God of endurance and encouragement, we thank you for your Word made flesh as well as your written Word. We know that what was written long ago was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and the encouragement we receive from the Scriptures, we may have hope. We praise you for not leaving us in the dark, groping for something to grasp. Instead, you have given us a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, that we might follow our Lord through this shadowy world. Almighty God, use this hope we have as followers of your Son to enable us live in harmony with fellow Christians so we may raise our voices together to bring you the glory and honor due your name. And we pray that when the rest of the world sees such worship, they too will turn to you and give you praise. For it is in the name of Christ we pray. Amen. (based on Romans 15:4-7) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)
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 “Be not afraid to pray; to pray is right; Pray if thou canst with hope, but ever pray, Though hope be weak or sick with long delay; Pray in the darkness if there be no light.” (E.M. Bounds)
This Week’s Scripture
Adoration Psalm 119:137-139 137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. 138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. How Great Thou Art (verse 1) O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all thy worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my souls, my Savior God to thee; how great thou art, how great thou art! Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:5-10) “I confess that thou hast not been in all my thoughts, that the knowledge of thyself as the end of my being has been strangely overlooked, that I have never seriously considered my heart-need. …Let me not delay to come to thee; Break the fatal enchantment that binds my evil affections, and bring me to a happy mind that rests in thee, for thou hast made me and canst not forget me. Let thy Spirit teach me the vital lessons of Christ, for I am slow to learn; And hear thou my broken cries. Amen.” (The Valley of Vision) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Gracious Lord and God of peace, I give thanks to you for all Christians everywhere who are growing in their faith. I offer you praise that where these Christians are assembled as local churches, so too is their love increasing. The Lord Jesus taught us that the world will know we are his disciples as we love one another as he loves us. Make that truth an increasing reality in our lives O Lord. I thank you for the faithfulness of the churches around the world who are afflicted by persecution. Please increase their faith more and more, that your glory will shine, even in the midst of their hardship and suffering. I ask this in the name of the One who suffered on our behalf, Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. (based on 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4) Ask the Spirit to search your heart and mind and then spend some time thanking God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petition – prayers for yourself)
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Amen. (Matthew 5:6)  Great supplicants have sought the secret place of the Most High, not that they might escape the world,
but that they might learn to conquer it. (Samuel Chadwick) This Week’s Scripture · Exodus 12:1-14 · Psalm 149 · Romans 13:1-14 · Matthew 18:15-20 Adoration Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. How Firm a Foundation (verse 1) How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? (“K” in Ripon’s Selection of Hymns) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12) O merciful Father, who in compassion for thy sinful children didst send thy Son Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world: Grant us grace to feel and to lament our share of the evil which made it needful for him to suffer and to die for our salvation. Help us by self-denial, prayer, and meditation to prepare our hearts for deeper penitence and a better life. And give us a true longing to be free from sin, through the deliverance wrought by Jesus Christ our only Redeemer. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Almighty God of heaven and earth, I will sing a new song of praise and thanksgiving to you this day. You are my Maker and my King, and you alone are worthy to be praised. I will rejoice in you for you are good. You take pleasure in your people and you adorn the humble with salvation. I pray that my greatest desire would be the exultation of your glory. May your praise ever be upon my lips and may I always seek your honor above all pursuits. I thank you gracious God, my heavenly Father, for your tender love and mercy in my life. I will indeed sing a new song of praise and thanksgiving to you this day. In the name of my blessed Redeemer I pray. Amen. (based on Psalm 149) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Give me greater knowledge, depth of insight, and understanding of God’s Word. · Remind me daily of who I am in Christ. Let me be defined by who God says I am, not the world around me. · Guide me into greater understanding and faithfulness of God’s call in my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · My pastor(s), church staff, and missionaries · Those wrestling with anger, anxiety, or the overwhelming desire to please people at all costs · Other needs O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise! (Charles Wesley)  He who labors as he prays, lifts his heart to God with his hands. (Bernard of Clairvaux)
This Week’s Scripture · Exodus 3:1-15 · Psalm 105 · Romans 12:9-21 · Matthew 16:21-28 Adoration Psalm 105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice (verse 1) O happy day, that fixed my choice on thee, my Savior and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice, and tell its raptures all abroad. Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day. (Philip Doddridge) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:9-10) Righteous Father, I have acted as if I hated thee, although thou art love itself; have contrived to tempt thee to the uttermost, to wear out thy patience; have lived evilly in word and action. Had I been a prince I would have long ago crushed such a rebel; Had I been a father I would long since have rejected my child. O, thou Father of my spirit, thou King of my life, cast me not into destruction, drive me not from thy presence, but wound my heart that it may be healed; break it that thine own hand may make it whole. In Christ I pray. Amen. (The Valley of Vision) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving All-wise Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful for the direction you give me for my life. I am humbled and thankful that you have not left me to grope in darkness to search in vain for the right path, but your Spirit has provided a light for me so I may follow the same road as my Savior. I pray Father, in your power, give me strength to follow your will for my life. Enable me to let my love be genuine and to abhor what is evil. Help me love others with a brotherly affection and continually and consistently show them honor. May I never be slothful in my zeal, but fervent in spirit, always serving you. Let me faithfully rejoice in hope, show patience in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. And may I think of others before myself by contributing to their needs and showing hospitality to them. Then, gracious God, when people see my life, let it point to you so that you, and you alone, receive all the praise and glory. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (based on Romans 12:9-13) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Help me to grow in wisdom and become who you created and redeemed me to be. · Renew my mind and enable me to cultivate a godly perspective and attitude regarding the various spheres and circumstances of my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family, immediate and extended · Those struggling with sin, illness, or difficulties in their workplace · Other needs God wants to get us out of the love of virtue and in love with the God of virtue – stripped of all possessions but our knowledge of him. (Oswald Chambers)  How can you expect God to speak in that gentle and inward voice which melts the soul when you are making so much noise with your rapid reflections? (Francois Fenelon)
This Week’s Scripture · Exodus 1:8-2:10 · Psalm 124 · Romans 12:1-8 · Matthew 16:13-20 Adoration Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (verse 1) Love divine all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down; fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart. (Charles Wesley) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1) Almighty God, who lookest upon the inward man, forbid us in thy presence the vain endeavor to hide from thee what we have thought and done and truly are. Give us candor to acknowledge freely to thee what must be forever hidden from the knowledge of others, and may no false shame keep us from confessing those sins which no proper shame kept us from committing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Author unknown) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Gracious God and Giver all good gifts, I praise you for the gifts of your Spirit that you have given to the Bride of Christ, the Church. You have given us those who prophecy, serve, teach, exhort, contribute, lead, and who do acts of mercy, just to name a few. Father you know how much we need these faithful servants and stewards. None of us alone can minister to the Church, in a comprehensive and meaningful way. We need others who devotedly utilize their gifts and calling. Such dependence is ultimately a picture of our need for you, for we are not sufficient in and of ourselves. I am grateful that you provide for our every need. Please continue to make me a vessel of service to others in your name and for your glory. Amen. (based on Romans 8:3-8) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petition – prayers for yourself) · Help me to mature in my faith and to increasingly please God by my thoughts, words, and deeds. · Particular struggles in various relationships · My activities for this day · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My Family · My local church · My denomination · Para-church ministries, particularly Christian education and discipleship · Evangelistic ministries · Other needs Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God. (William Carey)  Careful for nothing, prayerful for everything, thankful for anything. (D.L. Moody)
This Week’s Scripture · Genesis 45:1-15 · Psalm 133 · Romans 11 · Matthew 15:10-28 Adoration Romans 11:33, 36 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! …36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Have Thine Own Way, Lord (verse 1) Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will while I am waiting, yielded and still. (Adelaide A. Pollard) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”. (Matthew 15:18-20) Dear Jesus, give me the mind that was in you. Put in my heart that spirit of meekness and humility that you showed as you served the poor and the outcast and as you poured yourself out for others. Keep me this day from seeking the praise and affirmation of people; keep me from longing to be thought of as somebody in terms of wealth, fame, influence, and all the other empty toys of the world. Make it my whole and single desire to be somebody in your eyes. In Christ I pray. Amen. (John Wesley) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving God of tender providence, I praise you for your faithful hand in my life. You sent Joseph ahead of his family to prepare a place for them in Egypt. It cost Joseph many years of pain, suffering, and loneliness, yet he recognized it was your hand guiding and protecting him through it all. He also saw how you were the great Orchestrator who never left him nor forsook him. Similarly, the Lord Jesus went through pain, mockery, alienation, suffering, and death upon the cross for my sake. Yet, he knew it was his purpose and your plan. In and through it he prepared a place for me with you, as Joseph did with his family in Egypt. Indeed, all of my life reveals the fingerprints of your continual care. For your constant love and provision, O Lord, I am grateful. In the name of Christ I pray. Amen. (based on Genesis 45:1-15) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Spiritual Warfare · Growth in Christlikeness · Increasing faithfulness in the spiritual disciplines · My health · For my ordinary appointments and activities to become divine appointments and activities. · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My Family · Mercy for those who are poor and hungry · Justice for those who are oppressed and persecuted · Love for those who oppress and persecute others · Peace for those in the midst of war, crime, and violence · Other needs It is true that we may desire much more. But let us use what we have, and God will give us more. (Adoniram Judson)  Every Christian needs a half hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour. (St. Francis of Sales)
This Week’s Scripture · Genesis 37:1-28 · Psalm 105 · Romans 10:1-15 · Matthew 14:22-23 Adoration Psalm 105:1 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (verse 1) Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. (Dorothy Thrupp) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10) Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, truly lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving God of salvation, I thank you with all that I am for reaching down and redeeming me. Indeed, I am grateful for those you placed throughout my life who brought your good news to me. Because you sent them with the gospel, they were able to faithfully proclaim it. Because they faithfully proclaimed it, I was able to hear it. And because I was able to hear it, through your gracious work, I was able to believe in Christ my Savior and Lord. I pray almighty God that you would use me on behalf of others, just as others served you on my behalf. In the name of the risen Christ I pray. Amen. (based on Romans 10:14-15) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · My personal mission field Ø Help me to identify those people who make up my personal mission field. Ø Enable me to begin sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know you. Ø Empower me to disciple those who are young in their faith. Ø Allow me to encourage those who are struggling in their faith. Ø Please give me perseverance in all areas of ministry. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · For missionaries throughout the world · For those seeking to faithfully minister to loved ones at home · For those who share the gospel in the inner city · For those who bear witness to Christ in places of power · Other needs Be to the world a sign that while we are Christians do not have all the answers, we do know and care about the questions. (Billy Graham)  As artists give themselves to their models, and poets to their classical pursuits, so must we addict ourselves to prayer. (C.H. Spurgeon)
This Week’s Scripture · Genesis 29:15-28 · Psalm 105:1-11 · Romans 8:26-39 · Matthew 13:31-52 Adoration Psalm 105:1-2 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! It Is Well with My Soul (verse 1) When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. (Horatio Spafford) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32) O Lord God of the salvation of thy servants, merciful, gracious, and long-suffering, who… willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live: Forgive now, O Lord, this thy servant; grant him the assurance of repentance, pardon and remission of his sins, and absolve him from all his offences, voluntary and involuntary; reconcile him and unite him to thy holy church through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom be power and glory ascribed unto thee, now and for ever, even unto ages of ages. Amen. (Traditional, Eastern Orthodox) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Loving Spirit of God, I thank you that you help me in my weakness. I don’t always know how to pray as I ought. And so, in your overflowing graciousness, you intercede for me with groanings too deep for words. Merciful Father, I praise you for taking the worst about me and the worst things that happen to me and redeeming them for your purposes. You don’t call all things good, but are able to take all things and work them together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for dying for me, being raised from the dead for me, and even now, interceding for me. Truly, there is nothing in all creation that can separate me from your love. In your name I humbly thank you and pray. Amen. (based on Romans 8:26-35) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Give me greater love for those who are hard to love. · Help me to be compassionate and kind to those in need, even when it’s inconvenient. · Pour out upon me your courage and boldness to love those who do not know you and to share with them your Gospel, in word and deed. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · My family and friends who do not have a saving relationship with Christ · For those in my other spheres of influence who do not know Christ · For evangelists around our city, country, and world who risk much in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are lost · Other needs There are two things to do about the gospel – believe it and behave it. (Susanna Wesley)  When we become too glib in prayer, we are most surely talking to ourselves. (A.W. Tozer)
This Week’s Scripture · Genesis 25:19-34 · Psalm 25 · Romans 8:1-11 · Matthew 13:1-23 Adoration Psalm 25:1-2 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Blessed Assurance (verse 1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of his Spirit, washed in his blood. (Fanny J. Crosby) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! (Psalm 25:7) Righteous God, save me from myself, from the artifices and deceits of sin, from the treachery of my perverse nature, from denying thy charge against my offenses, from a life of continual rebellion against thee, from wrong principles, views, and ends; for I know that all my thoughts, affections, desires and pursuits are alienated from thee. For Christ’s sake I pray. Amen. (The Valley of Vision) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Life-giving Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I praise you for your gospel. When I reflect on the Psalm and prayer of confession I just prayed, I can only rejoice that there is now no condemnation for me, for I am in Christ Jesus. I have been set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the Spirit of life. By sending your very own Son to walk in perfect righteousness for my sake and to take upon himself my sinful nature, I have been redeemed by his life and death and restored into a right standing with you. Remind me daily, dearest God, that this was not of my doing but due to your grace alone. In the name of my Great Redeemer I pray. Amen. (based on Romans 8:1-4) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Help me to grow in wisdom and become who you created and redeemed me to be. · Renew my mind and enable me to cultivate a godly perspective and attitude regarding the various spheres and circumstances of my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family, immediate and extended · Those struggling with sin, illness, or difficulties in their workplace · Other needs Christ as God is the fatherland where we are going. Christ as man is the way by which we go. (St. Augustine)  We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results. (R.A. Torrey)
This Week’s Scripture · Genesis 22:1-14 · Psalm 13 · Romans 6:12-23 · Matthew 10:40-42 Adoration Psalm 13:5-6 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. And Can It Be that I Should Gain (verse 1) And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood! Died he for me? who caused his pain! For me? who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that thou my God, shouldst die for me? (Charles Wesley) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 6:12-13) God of mercy, please deliver me from pride and vanity and boasting, from self-assertion and self-seeking, and blindness to the common weal. Deliver me from dislike of criticism and love of popularity, and from unreadiness to do my duty at whatever cost. Deliver me from hastiness of speech and sullenness of temper, from readiness to think the worst of others, and from all unseemly and unworthy conversation. In Christ’s name I ask this. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1965) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Patient and longsuffering Lord, I confess that sometimes I feel as though you have forgotten about me and the hard times I am going through. It’s as if you have hidden your face from me. Such feelings lead me to sorrow, as though the undesirable circumstances of my life have triumphed over me. And yet Father, I know in my heart of hearts that this is not so, for I have trusted in your steadfast love. You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me and your record throughout my life is perfect. Therefore, I will continue to thank and praise you for the joy of my salvation. You have indeed dealt bountifully with me and I am grateful. Please remind me of your presence and goodness when those same overwhelming feelings begin to sneak up on me again. In the name of the One who has promised to be with me always. Amen. (based on Psalm 13) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Spiritual Warfare · Growth in Christlikeness · Increasing faithfulness in the spiritual disciplines · My health · For my ordinary appointments and activities to become divine appointments and activities. · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My Family · Mercy for those who are poor and hungry · Justice for those who are oppressed and persecuted · Love for those who oppress and persecute others · Peace for those in the midst of war, crime, and violence · Other needs If we love Christ much, surely we shall trust him much. (Thomas Brooks) |
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