Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom.
Charles Spurgeon
Begin with Adoration
This week we are going to reach back to part of a hymn first published in 1695 by Anglican Bishop Thomas Ken. These four lines are some of the most treasured and sung in the history of the Church. We know it as the Doxology.
We want to encourage you to read, and sing—yes, sing—the Doxology as your prayer of adoration! You may want to sing it a few times. If you would like, sing along by clicking the play button below. Praise God…for all His blessings.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.The Doxology, by Thomas Ken
Continue with Confession
This week, let’s allow sections of David’s Psalm 32 guide us in confession…
Psalm 32
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
2 How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
As the Spirit brings any sin to mind, confess it as sin and turn from it (repent). Thank God that He forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Now offer words of Thanksgiving
Today, make note of things in life that you enjoy, and thank God for them. Tell Him why you are grateful. For example, “Thank you Lord for the game of golf—for the time it gives me to be outdoors with friends.”
Conclude with Supplication
Supplication is making our needs known. It is, quite simply, to ask for something. And as reminded in the quote from Spurgeon above, “asking is the rule of the kingdom.” Jesus says in Matthew 7:11…
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him.
Matthew 7:11
Ask God for what you need today: physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, and vocationally.
