21 Days of Prayer
Key Verse:
“Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24
Prompt:
This week’s focus: Pray First
To “take heart” means to stand firm or be courageous in the face of any danger or trial. The more we grow in our relationship with God, spend time in prayer, and read His Word, the more our confidence in Him abounds. Praying first allows us to firmly plant our feet in the truth of His Word. Pray today that you can take heart and find hope in Jesus Christ!
More:
Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way
Read Psalms 31-32
Take a moment to read Psalm 32:3-5.
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord – and you forgave the guilt of my sin.’”
Head
I said a prayer of salvation when I was in 2nd grade and was baptized shortly after. I remember repeating back to the preacher whatever he said because I was scared that if I didn’t say it, I would go to Hell. I wanted to do what the adults in my life were telling me was good for me. And I didn’t want to go to such a bad place after I died. A few years later, I started doubting if I really was saved. I didn’t remember actually making a decision to follow Jesus. I just knew I repeated a prayer and was baptized. I kind of felt a little bit like what Psalm 32:3-4 is saying. I felt down about it. I was so unsure.
One night while visiting my grandmother, I was finally honest with God. I told him I knew I was a sinner and needed a Savior. Part of my prayer was, “Jesus, if you’re not in my heart… get in there.” I was desperate for Jesus. I knew He was the only thing who would take away my guilt and give me peace. I chose to follow Jesus in that prayer. I later told my mom and pastor and was baptized. While being baptized, I had no doubt Jesus was the Lord of my life at that point. I had done what Psalm 32:5 says.
Heart
What part of Psalm 31-32 do you identify with right now? Sometimes the Psalmist is angry or scared. Sometimes the Psalmist is joyful and giving praise. Regardless of how the writer feels, he continues to go to God. How is your relationship with God? Do you turn to him with everything? Have you admitted your sin to God and asked him to save you?
Hands
Talk with your family about these questions and ask any questions you may have. Reach out to a Venture staff member if you need help making sense of things. If you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and save you for the first time, tell someone on staff at Venture. We would love to rejoice with you and help you with your next steps.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being available to me. Thank You for wanting to have a relationship with me and making it possible through Jesus dying on the cross and coming back to life. I know I have sinned. Some specific sins of mine are ___________________. I ask for Your forgiveness. I need Your mercy and grace. I want to give You my life and follow You. I don’t want to keep on doing the same sins. I want to be more like You. Help me, Lord. In Jesus’s name, Amen.