Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:17-24 ESV
Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture we will study next Sunday, Ephesians 4:17-24. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.
Thank. In this week’s scripture, Paul calls us to live differently, to take off our old self and put on a new self. There are not many times in our lives when we are given a fresh start. This is the greatest offer of a fresh start ever because it’s eternal. Thank God today for this gracious gift and thank Him for the ways He helps you to achieve it, by giving you His Spirit, His Word, and by giving you brothers and sisters in Christ to support you and hold you accountable. God is so good! Thank Him!
Adore. Let’s praise God for who He is. This week’s scripture tells us three important attributes of God: God is truth; He is righteous; He is Holy.
All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jude 1:25
All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time,
and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
Confess. The beauty of confession can be found in the freedom it provides. As you ask God for forgiveness, do so with a sincere heart and a humble spirit, but also with the knowledge that God WILL forgive you and that you will be free of the shame and guilt that keeps you captive.
Others.
| CU Church: Pray for our ministry to single parents and for the Respite Care program that will provide relief to single, foster and adoptive parents. Pray that people are moved to volunteer to help these families in need and that families feel welcomed and loved. |
| Community: Pray for the athletes on the University of Illinois campus. Pray specifically for Christian coaches and athletes in leadership positions, that they may have opportunities to share the Gospel message. |
| Global Church: Pray for Mustard Seed and the Philips family, missionaries in Japan. They ask for prayer as they appoint local elders in Kyoto, that God will equip the four elders to take care of the church, guard the church and teach the truth of God’s Word. (Acts 20:28) They also ask two BIG prayers (Ephesians 3:20): that God would draw many lost people to the church and that they would be saved; that the offering received would meet church expenses. mustardseedjapan.com |
Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.