Our Common Devotion

Starting Our Day:
Praying the Word of God

This vision centers around an ordering of our days. Our mornings begin with praying the 23rd Psalm.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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Reclaiming Our Day:
Praying with Jesus

Many of us find that by the time we get to noon, our day has gone in directions we had not expected. Our hearts have wandered. Our anxiety and false sense of control has crept in. We need to reclaim our day. And we do that by praying with Jesus.

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Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.

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Surrendering Our Day:
Praying with Reflection and Hope

Our day ends much like it began, with an invitation to trust. We surrender our day to God with honest reflection and hope for tomorrow.

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Give Thanks
How has the Good Shepherd led you? Where have you seen his provision today (daily bread)?

Invite the Holy Spirit...
... to reveal the gifts and blessings this day held (green pastures, still waters) as well as painful, difficult things (valleys).

Review Failures
What temptations did I experience? When did I give in?

Receive Forgiveness
Ask Jesus to forgive your sin and deliver you from evil.

Look Ahead to Tomorrow with Hope
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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You can also download a printable PDF of this devotion HERE