Let Every Step Be Worship - Your Nightly Prayer - March 17th
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Chelsey DeMatteis, Crosswalk.com
Let Every Step Be Worship
Your Nightly Prayer
by Chelsey DeMatteis
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Each year, my son’s school prayerfully selects a theme from God’s Word. At the first Thursday chapel, our principal opened with the theme, “Walk in Worship Every Day in Every Way.” It was perfectly fitting for the sea of busy little bodies seated in the chairs, and it was a perfect reminder for all of us parents in the room, too. It reminded us that, as we live our lives, whether they be mundane or thrilling, we are called to do it all for the glory of God. Our life should be an outpouring of worship.
Now, I know not every moment will be perfect. We have bad days, sin patterns, and brokenness. Each step we take, and each task we complete, will not always be done to the glory of God; if we’re honest, some steps and tasks will be more of a reminder of why we need a Savior. Which is equally a gift.
You may be thinking, 'How do I walk in worship?' God’s word tells us that worship isn’t only singing songs. It is done in the way we do all things. When we wake up, are we opening our eyes with grateful hearts ready to seize the day with the Lord, or are we grabbing the phone first thing to scroll through a slew of media and emails that will remind us of all the things we cannot fix and need to do? One points to a heart of worship, and one, well, it points to a heart that starts its day with both feet planted in the world before the Word.
Then, as you slip into the afternoon, how do you meet the middle of the day? If you’re like me, when 2 PM comes calling, my eyes feel ready to drift off to sleep. Taking a catnap isn’t wrong, and brewing that additional cup of coffee isn’t either, but I’m nudged every afternoon to look to Jesus for the energy to get through the last half of the day. This means I brew the coffee, skip the shut-eye, and take a long, deep breath in the school pickup line, asking Jesus to meet me where I am so I can walk faithfully with Him the rest of my day.
Now we’ve entered the evening, in my season of life as a mom of two young children, this time of day can feel like whiplash! There is a lot of directing, playing, arguing, getting ready for activities, dinner-making, and cleaning up. If I’m not careful, I can do this with a subpar attitude. My tone can shift on a dime, revealing frustration and, in turn, changing the whole feel of the home. But these tasks and asks are worship, too. For me, when I look at the little parts of my day that seem to take the most out of me, I see them as moments that are just as important for living like Jesus and giving Him glory. This shift can bring everything back to the proper axis. My heart posture changes, and my home becomes a place of peace, not literally - there is rarely complete peace in this house unless it's 10 PM - but you can sense the peace of God filling each room.
Regardless of what your days look like, because it’s probably not exactly like mine, walk in worship where you are. Start your day with Jesus and for Jesus. Commit all of the tasks you have to do into the hands of Jesus and promise to honor Him as you complete them. As you come around the corner to the end of the day, acknowledge the last hours as His - you want His peace and His joy, you want to worship your King till your head hits the pillow.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
What an honor it is to know that you created me to glorify your name. On the days when I struggle to do so, please use the Holy Spirit to convict my heart and redirect my steps so that the world sees I live for you and you alone. Help me find rhythms and routines that start my day, anchor my afternoons, and close out my evenings in a way that resonates with your heart. Thank you for loving me and walking alongside me. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. The Posture of Your Heart
How do you begin your day? Consider whether your first thoughts and actions reflect a desire to glorify God or simply to manage responsibilities.
2. Worship in the Ordinary
What routine tasks feel draining or insignificant right now? Ask the Lord to help you see those very moments as opportunities to serve Him faithfully.
3. A Life that Reflects His Glory
In your tone, your work ethic, and your responses to stress, does your life point others toward Christ? Invite the Holy Spirit to correct and redirect any area that does not honor Him.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Daggy J Ali
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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