What's the Difference?
Over the next couple of months we're going to be experimenting with some changes to the prayer guide. For this sermon series "What's the Difference?" we're going to try connecting the prayer guide to the Sunday messages. If you didn't get a chance to participate in the service, you can view all of our messages on our website.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Scripture
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness
- Exodus 34:6
Devotional Thought on Patience
How would you describe yourself to someone you wanted to know the real you? In Exodus, God speaks to Moses and describes his character. Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, Abounding in steadfast Love and Faithfulness! Amazing! The exact characteristics we see lived out in Jesus thousands of years later.
Peter describes Jesus' loving patience towards us as having a purpose. He doesn't condemn but loves us patiently, even through our faults and failures, so that we can experience transformation.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9
Reflection Question
Sit In God's presence and ask Him to help you work through these questions:
- Where is God inviting you to experience God’s patient kindness in your life?
Prayers of Petition
God invites us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us. God is all-together good, already knows what we need, and is eager to give us good things. So we don’t need to pray out of anxiety or fear, but confident trust. Spend a few minutes making your requests known to God.
- For the church
- For others
- For myself
Closing Prayer
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.