Part of the Lenten Journey, we are going through some of the spiritual disciplines in some small groups. We meet once a week to go over the concept and then we’ll be using the rest of the days of the week to spend some time practicing the discipline. If you would like to join along, but are unable to attend any of the small group sessions (Thursdays at 11am and Thursdays at 7pm), I’ll be posting the weekly individual, short devotionals. This week we focus on study and prayer.
Day 1
Reading the Verse
42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
” ‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstonethe Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’ Matthew 21:42
Practicing the Discipline:
Read Matthew chapter 20 through Matthew Chapter 22. How does the context affect the meaning of the verse?
Rereading the verse
42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
” ‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone[a];
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’ Matthew 21:42
Praying the prayer:
God of Love and Power, helps us to understand the scriptures as we study them so that if Jesus asks us if we have ever read them, we may answer yes!
Day 2
Reading the Verse
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
Practicing the Discipline:
Think about the words teaching, reproof, correction, and training. How might Scripture be profitable in each of these areas?
Rereading the verse
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
Praying the prayer:
Lord, may we utilize scripture so that we might grow closer to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Day 3
Reading the Verse
6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6 (ESV)
Practicing the Discipline:
Reflect on the things most precious to you. Does scripture rank up with silver? If so, why is that the case? If not, why not?
Rereading the verse
6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. Psalm 12:6 (ESV)
Praying the Prayer:
Lord, you are more precious than silver, as are the Scriptures. May we se them to worship you. Amen.
Day 4
Reading the Verse
5 Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. Nehemiah 1:5-7 (New International Version)
Practicing the Discipline:
There is a link between scripture and study. So today, pray like Nehemiah.
Rereading the Verse
5 Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. Nehemiah 1:5-7 (New International Version)
Praying the prayer:
O Lord, help us to remember our trespasses, and while remembering them, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.
Day 5
Reading the Verse
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:15-17 New International Version)
Practicing the Discipline:
List out several people on a piece of paper. Pray for each of them and their situations by name.
Rereading the Verse
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:15-17 New International Version)
Praying the Prayer
Holy God, help me to be the kind of person who prays for others, so ultimately that I might be the person that better loves my neighbor. In Christ, Amen.
