KEY IDEA: A sinner prays the Savior answers – Luke 23:32-43 (Key v42-43)

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

— Luke 23:32-43

THE WEEKDAY DAILY PATTERN

  • Establish your quiet place. – Find a time and place as free of distraction as possible
  • Minute 1: Ask God to speak to you through His Word; this is a literal prayer request. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) Audibly ask Him to remove Satan from your presence. – Resist the Devil and He will flee from you” (James 4:7) “Lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13) Ask Him to remove distractions and mental clutter; during this time, do not ask Him for anything else. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)
  • Minute 2: Listen to Him through His Word. Read the Scripture, hear what God has said.
  • Minutes 3-5: Pray the words of Scripture, focusing on the Key Idea, and asking Him for clarity.
  • Minutes 6-15: Read and answer the questions and close with the Every Day Prayer, as follows:
  1. Pray for yourself…
    1. …for forgiveness, today
    2. …to hear God’s voice, today
    3. …to respond to His calling, today
    4. …to be free from sin, today
    5. ….?
  2. Pray for others: Thank God for their very existence. Ask for opportunities to share Him with specific unbelievers. Ask to have your love for them increase.
    1. For anyone in the room with you right now
    2. For family (2 or 3 specific people)
    3. For 2 or 3 other specific significant people in your life
    4. To meet someone new with whom you can share the Gospel
    5. …?
  3. Pray for our church:
    1. For unified devotion to worship (Hebrews 12:28)
    2. For unified devotion to prayer, preaching of the Word, and fellowship (Acts 2:42)
    3. For unified devotion obeying the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
    4. That God would glorify Himself in and through our church (Ephesians 3:21)
    5. ….?