This Week’s Scripture

·         Genesis 21:8-21
·         Psalm 86:1-17
·         Romans 6:1-11
·         Matthew 10:24-39

Adoration

Psalm 86:12-13
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me (verse 1)
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.
(Augustus Toplady)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.

Confession

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:10-11)

Lord, so often we would accept your grace and forgiveness yet cling to the life of sin we once knew. Forgive us, Lord, and give us the strength to walk in the paths you would call us to follow and forever leave the ways of sin and destruction behind. Create in us new hearts, Lord, as a witness to your loving grace. In Christ we pray. Amen. (James R. Wilson)

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 God, I thank you for your grace. Not for cheap grace that permits me to continue along in my sin, but your grace, freely given, that both forgives me of sin and makes me pure. I give you praise that I have been buried with my Savior and raised to new life with him, that I might walk in newness of life. It is such glorious good news to know that just as I have died with him I will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. This news also humbles me for I know it is not extended because I deserve it but because you are good and loving. Help me, merciful Father, to know my old sinful self was crucified so that I would no longer be enslaved to sin, but now may live for your glory the rest of my days. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (based on Romans 6:1-11)

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

The glory of the gospel is that when the church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. (Martyn Lloyd-Jones)