Welcome to the Week

Six weeks into this new year, the rhythm of our days has become familiar, perhaps too familiar. Routine can either dull our awareness or deepen our devotion. This week, let the widow’s persistence in prayer remind you that God does not tire of your coming to him. By grace, God has made it possible for you to approach his throne, not because of what it costs you, but because of what it cost him. Come again, come often, and come with confidence, not in yourself, but in the sufficiency of God’s grace in the work of Christ.

“Beware of placing the emphasis on what prayer costs us; it cost God everything to make it possible for us to pray.” (Oswald Chambers)

This Week’s Scripture

• Jeremiah 31:27-34
• Psalm 119:97-104
• 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5
• Luke 18:1-8

Adoration

Psalm 119:97-98

Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.

Glory Be to the Father

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. (Lesser Doxology)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.

Confession

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Blessed Lord Jesus… Take me to the cross to seek glory from its infamy; Strip me of every pleasing pretence of righteousness by my own doings. O gracious Redeemer, I have neglected thee too long, often crucified thee, crucified thee afresh by my impenitence, put thee to open shame. I thank thee for the patience that has borne with me so long, and for the grace that now makes me willing to be thine. O unite me to thyself with inseparable bonds, that nothing may ever draw me back from thee, my Lord, my Savior. (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

Loving and self-revealing God, I thank you for those who have gone before me in the faith and who faithfully passed along the Gospel over the many centuries, so that I now might also partake of it. For your inspired Word, which is able to make me wise for salvation through faith in my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you thanks. Gracious Lord, Please keep your Word alive in me so I may continually be trained in righteousness and equipped for every good work you set before me. In Christ I pray, Amen. (based on 2 Timothy 3:14-17)

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.

Prayer Prompts

Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.

Petition – prayers for yourself

• My personal mission field
  • Help me to identify those people who make up my personal mission field.
  • Enable me to begin sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know you.
  • Empower me to disciple those who are young in their faith.
  • Allow me to encourage those who are struggling in their faith.
  • Please give me perseverance in all areas of ministry.
• Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
• Other needs

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

Choose this day whom you will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Amen. (Joshua 24:15)

A Word as You Go

The new covenant God promised through Jeremiah is not a distant hope, it’s your present reality in Christ. His law is written on your heart, his forgiveness is complete, and his Spirit equips you for every good work set before you. As you return to the tasks and relationships of this week, carry with you the widow’s tenacity and the assurance that your prayers are heard. God delights in your persistent coming to him. He will not grow weary of you. Go now as one chosen to serve, empowered to witness, and equipped to persevere in his name.

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