DAILY GUIDE

March 2020

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Heb. 5:7)

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. [source]

Take a moment to confess your sins, knowing that he hears you.

Scripture Reading

  • March 2 – Psalm 44; Matt 22
  • March 3 – Psalm 45; Matt 23
  • March 4 – Psalm 46; Matt 24
  • March 5 – Psalm 47; Matt 26:1-35
  • March 6 – Psalm 48; Matt 26:36-75
  • March 9 – Psalm 49; Mark 11
  • March 10 – Psalm 50; Mark 12
  • March 11 – Psalm 51; Mark 13
  • March 12 – Psalm 52; Mark 14:1-31
  • March 13 – Psalm 53; Mark 14:32-72
  • March 16 – Psalm 54; Mark 15
  • March 17 – Psalm 55; Luke 19
  • March 18 – Psalm 56; Luke 20
  • March 19 – Psalm 57; Luke 21
  • March 20 – Psalm 58; Luke 22:1-46
  • March 23 – Psalm 59; Luke 22:47-71
  • March 24 – Psalm 60; Luke 23
  • March 25 – Psalm 61; John 12
  • March 26 – Psalm 62; John 13
  • March 27 – Psalm 63; John 14
  • March 30 – Psalm 64; John 15
  • March 31 – Psalm 65; John 16

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen. [source]

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen. [source]

Suggested Fasts

Week of March 1: Suggested Fast: Food – Consider fasting from lunch this week and spending that hour in prayer, reading the Word or praising the Lord through music. Or choose a specific type of food—candy, soda, meat, etc.—to fast from for the week. Or choose one day to fast from dawn until dusk, again spending the time you’d usually be eating to sit in God’s presence.

Week of March 8: Suggested Fast: TV and Movies – This week, think about unplugging your televisions or devices and spending that time soaking in the Lord’s presence. If your family typically watches a show or movie together, consider exchanging that hour or two each day to open God’s Word, pray and discuss the reality of sin in our hearts and in our world.

Week of March 15: Suggested Fast: Social and Internet – As we continue in the season of Lent, think about exchanging the time you would normally scroll through social media or browse the internet for a time of intentional prayer, Bible reading or worship. Consider staying off certain platforms at certain points of each day or for the entire week, deleting the apps off your device or blocking those websites as you fast.

Week of March 22: Suggested Fast: Caffeine and Sweets – Consider fasting from your favorite caffeinated beverages or candy this week. Think about placing sticky notes with Scripture or prayer requests on or near where you keep those items so you are reminded to refocus your heart and mind on the Lord throughout the day. Consider setting aside the money you would typically spend on those beverages and pray about where you could give it to help those in need.

Week of March 29: Suggested Fast: Radio, Podcasts, and Music – This week, consider trading your favorite podcast or your daily dose of music or talk radio for silence and solitude. Instead of turning on something when you get in the car, use this time to ask God to fill your heart and mind with His presence and to hear His voice more clearly. Consider choosing a few verses to memorize and use the time you’d normally spend listening to music, the radio or a podcast in thoughtful meditation of God’s Word.

Week of April 5: Suggested Fast: Shopping for non-essentials – Consider fasting from shopping for anything that is not absolutely necessary this week. Reflect on the ways that God has provided for your every need. You could choose to start a list of God’s provision in your life, spend time praying for God to help you remember that He is your ultimate sustainer and giver of life or find small ways to be generous toward others in gratitude for what the Lord has given to you.

[source for graphic and suggested fasts]

Memory Verse

“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:5–6)

Resources

Why are we reading the psalms each day? Consider this article.

Free Ebook: The Final Days of Jesus

February 2020 Daily Guide | 2020 Bible Reading Plan | April 2020 Daily Guide