Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Opening Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
O Lord, you promise to work all things for my good, Yet I confess that instead of delighting in your grace, I find reasons to be unhappy. I have filled my life with busyness and scheduled myself into exhaustion. I have been quick to judge others and slow to forgive them. Open my eyes to Your glory which is all around me, and to Your love which is smiling through all things. Renew in me a sense of wonder in You and your good creation. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 37:15-28
The 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
New Testament Reading: 1 John 2:28-3:24
Prayer of Adoration:
O God, what kind of love is this, that we should be called children of God? Thank you that you abide in us, by the Spirit you have given us. Thank you for your great love for us, which flows out of us toward one another.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 11
Prayer of Consecration
God, this Psalm speaks honestly about the reality of evil. There really are wicked people in the world - and in my life - who “bend the bow… to shoot at the upright in heart.” It’s easy to feel like no one sees; like no one cares about what is right or good. But your eyes see. You hate the wicked, and you love the righteous. You promise that the upright shall behold your face. So today, let me take refuge in you from the evil around me; and let me walk before you in integrity and righteousness. Let me not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but let me love my enemies and bless those who curse me. You see all things with perfect clarity. So let me live for your approval on the last day, with an eye toward pleasing you and bringing you glory.
BENEDICTION
And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and always, until the day of Christ's return.
