READ:

Read or listen to 1 Peter 2:19-25​.

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

FOCUS/PRAY:

Our Lord Jesus taught his disciples to pray a certain way. What we call “The Lord’s Prayer” is not just a prayer to memorize and recite, but it also gives us a template of how to pray. Use this as your model to pray today, adding your own words after each section.

1. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Praise God for who he is.)
2. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Petition for God’s mission to come true here on earth.)
3. Give us this day our daily bread. (Ask for your ordinary needs.)
4. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Confess your own sins and actively choose to forgive others.)
5. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Ask for power to overcome temptation and evil.)
6. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. (End with praise and submit your will to God’s.)