Welcome to the daily prayer guide for the month of September! Today is Saturday, Sept. 3. If you need an explanation about how to use this guide, see the first post.
Morning
For people with traditional work schedules, Saturday’s schedule can be gobbled up by recreation as quickly as the weekdays can be consumed with work. But we still want to begin our day centered! This morning, ask yourself how you can recognize God’s presence in the midst of all you do, be it work or play. See if you’re comfortable praying words along these lines:
“Lord, I invite you to keep me aware of you all day, wherever I may be. I know you are everywhere. Help me to sense this truth. Amen.” Let’s also remember to praise God for who He is. He made us. He saves us from sin. He dwells among us now as the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment to lift up the names of all around you who are tired, anxious, sick or lonely. Ask God to be with them; listen intently whether God is telling you to adjust your schedule to spend some time with them.
Take time to read the following Scriptures in your preferred translation: Deuteronomy 29:2-20; Matthew 10:34-42. Slow down enough to meditate on each one. Read what comes before and after if more context is necessary.
Pray these words out loud: “Lord, I surrender this day to you. Let my plans be your plans, let my encounters with others be holy, and may your kingdom grow just a little today because I am in this world. Amen.”
Give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.
Noon
Pray the Lord’s Prayer (See if someone might join you):
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Again, give yourself a few minutes of silence before resuming your day.
Night
As you review your day, pay attention to how closely you came to praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). By this, Paul meant being aware of God’s presence throughout the day.
I hope the meditative prayer time in the evening is becoming comfortable and rewarding. It’s a little like exercise; stick with it, and you will experience surprising growth. If the visualization aspect is proving difficult, simply focus on breathing and listening for the ever-present God.
And again, if you have questions or comments about the experience, it’s also okay to use the comments section of this page to start a conversation with others. May your dreams include visions of the kingdom to come.
Methodist Life 