Annual prayer for Soma in 2021
Father, help us to see you clearly, trust you fully, seek you diligently, obey you completely, and reject all idolatry as we worship you alone.
Psalm 63:1
God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
The reason we need to seek him diligently is because we have forces of evil and the world against us.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
2 Peter 1:12-13
Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder.
Seeking Him Through the Word
Why seek him through Scripture?
How to seek him through Scripture?
What now?
Why Seek Him Through Scripture?
John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.”
We need to remain in Christ, connected to him.
John 15:4-5
Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.
We remain in him by remaining in his Word.
John 15:3,7
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you… 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you…
The Word of God is living and effective in changing our heart.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Word of God is profitable for our lives, and it equips us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
How to Seek Him Through Scripture?
A. Be Intentional.
- Have a time.
- Have a place.
- Have a plan.
B. Be prayerful.
- Prayerfully read.
- Prayerfully reflect.
Psalm 119:15
I will meditate on your precepts and think about your ways.
Joshua 1:7-8
Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
Ask these questions when reading Scripture:
- What does this passage say about God/Jesus?
- What does this passage say about me/people?
- Is there a promise to claim?
- Is there a command to obey?
- Is there a sin to avoid?
- Is there an example to follow?
- Is there a prayer to pray?
- Is there a new perspective presented?
Prayerfully respond.
Psalm 119:33-37
Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes, and I will always keep them. 34 Help me understand your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. 35 Help me stay on the path of your commands, for I take pleasure in it.36 Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit. 37 Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways.
Colossians 3:1-2
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
What Now?
Commit to seeking Jesus this week by: reading the Word for 5 days – Matthew chapters 4-8.