Morning Devotions
8/4/20254 min read
Enter Into His Presence*
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
- Psalm 29:2
Name 3 or more things that you are thankful to God for this morning.
Spend some time praising God for who he is
Some Songs To Assist With Worship:
Confession
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
- Psalm 79:8b-9
Confess your sins before the Lord and receive his forgiveness. Ask the Lord to bring transformation in your life, in the area(s) where you have sinned.
Assurance
In him we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins,
in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
that he lavished on us.
- Ephesians 1:7-8a
Illumination
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
- Psalm 119:34
Sermon Reflection
Longing for God’s Presence
Psalm 84:1–2: “How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
As this new week begins, the psalmist invites us into the longing of the pilgrim’s heart. This is not a casual desire—it’s a deep soul-ache for the presence of God. The house of the Lord is more than a building; it is the place where God’s beauty and glory dwell. For the one who loves the Lord, there is no better place to be.
Today, as you prepare to worship with God’s people, hear the Spirit’s call: “Come, all who are thirsty. Come and behold the beauty of the Lord.” The psalmist reminds us that worship is not merely about songs or sermons—it’s about a soul crying out for communion with the living God. Even creation joins in worship: “Even the sparrow has found a home… a place near your altar” (v.3). All creation seems to understand what we so often forget—true rest and purpose are found in God alone.
Let this Sunday be a return to your first love. Come with longing. Come with honesty. Come with joy. God is present—and He welcomes you.
Reflection Questions:
What does your heart most long for today?
How have you experienced the beauty of God's presence in worship?
What does it mean to you that even the birds find rest near God’s altar?
Prayer:
Lord of Heaven and Earth, how lovely is Your presence. Stir up in me a holy longing for You—not just for the benefits You give, but for You, the Living God. As I gather today with Your people, open my heart to worship You in spirit and truth. Even as the birds rest near Your altar, may I too find my true home in Your presence. Make me aware of You, and let my soul sing for joy. Amen.
Psalms For This Week
Sunday: Psalm 104:34; Psalms 86-87
Monday: Isaiah 26:8-9; Psalm 89:19-34
Tuesday: Psalm 143:5 4; Psalm 90
Wednesday: Psalm 145:3-7; Psalms 92-93
Thursday: Psalm 111:2-4; Psalm 103
Friday: Joshua 1:8; Psalms 99-101
Saturday: Psalm 119:15-16; Psalm 102:1-14
Prayerfully Reflect
"Lord what would you have me know/do from my time in your Word with you?"
Supplication
But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.
- Matthew 6:6 (CEB)
Lift up any personal, family, church, community, national, or other needs to the Lord
Rest / Delight In The Lord
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
- Psalm 17:8
Bring your attention to the Lord and silently repeat the following breath prayer as many times as desired. Rest in God’s Presence and grace.
Breathe In: “Keep me as the apple of Your eye”
Breathe Out: “Hide me in the shadow of Your wings”
Affirmation: I am cherished and safe in God’s protective love.
The Lord's Prayer
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 forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
- Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV)
Filling Of The Spirit
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
- Ephesians 1:17-19
“Gracious Lord, please fill me with your Spirit today, that he may indeed fill me with wisdom and insight so that I may know you better, and also know the hope to which you have called me to. You are good, and I pray these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Blessing
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
- Philippians 1:9-11
* All Scripture is quoted from the NIV translation, unless otherwise indicated.