READ Matthew 26
Jesus is betrayed and arrested.

INSIGHT
Peter is living and reassuring proof that “grace is greater than all our sin.” We struggle, at one time or another, with things in our lives that ought to be corrected but aren’t. We fear that our lives bring a stench to God’s nostrils because we have failed Him so often. But Peter began to curse and swear and deny that he ever knew Jesus. What a colossal sin! Yet, just a few days later (in John 21), Peter is eating with the Lord in perfect fellowship and harmony. For the Christian, there is no sin so great that God will not forgive.

PRAYER
Because Jesus gave up His preeminence for our sake and became a servant, we praise His unselfishness:
Ascribe to the Lord, families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness
(1 Chronicles 16:28-29 ).

I will thank the Lord for his righteousness;
I will sing about the name of the Lord Most High
(Psalm 7:17).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
And I said: My God, I am ashamed
and embarrassed to lift my face toward you, my God,
because our iniquities are higher than our heads
and our guilt is as high as the heavens (Ezra 9:6).

Confess any personal sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• The renewing of your mind
• The needs of your extended family
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield.  
The Lord grants favor and honor;
he does not withhold the good
from those who live with integrity.  
Happy is the person who trusts in you,
Lord of Armies! (Psalm 84:11-12).