Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
WORSHIP. Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
THANK. Write down 3-5 things you’re thankful for in the last 24 hours.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is Matthew 7:7-11. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from Daniel 9:1-23 (Going Deeper: Nehemiah 9:32-37 & 1 John 1:5-10)
THINK. Thoughts & Prayers from Pastor Dave…
As a parent, there is very little that happens in our home or at the kids’ school that I don’t already know about - especially the times they’ve done something wrong. In our family, we even say the consequences will be less when we’re honest about it and confess. As a good parent, my disposition towards my kids is love and a willingness to show them they are known and accepted and forgive them when they come to me. However, when it comes to prayer we forget that God our Father is like that too. Confession isn’t telling God something He doesn’t already know. He does. And it certainly isn’t about earning love or being forgiven. You are. As we read in today’s scripture, though, confession is still an important part of our prayer life. Why? Confession is telling the truth. Coming clean. Agreeing with God about our sin. And then, it’s receiving the benefits. There are often consequences for unconfessed sin. Confession can actually remove them and make things better. There is often guilt and shame with unconfessed sin. Confession can actually make us feel better when we receive compassion from God and even trusted leaders and friends in the church. There are often broken relationships with unconfessed sin - including with God. Confession can restore companionship. Spend some time in confession today, and receive God your Father’s love, acceptance and forgiveness. He already knows, and you already are!
LIVE. Use these questions to help you reflect on today’s reading. It’s ok if you don’t answer every question every day! Then, try praying in the posture of prayer you read about each day.
1 | Where is prayer present in today’s main passage?
2 | What is happening before, during, or after the prayer?
3 | Is one person praying, or are people praying together? Who?
4 | Which postures of prayer did you notice?
Praying Facedown, Praying while Fasting, Praying while Kneeling, Praying while Mourning, Praying w/ Outstretched Arms, Praying while Sitting, Praying while Standing, Praying w/ Uplifted Eyes, Something Else?
5 | What was the answer to the prayer?
6 | How is God addressed and/or described?
7 | What did you learn about how you can pray today?
PRAY. Pray for yourself, a family member, a lifegroup/church friend, someone who doesn’t know Jesus, and the nations. Pick one each day or pray through them all every day.
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.
Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!