Saturday, February 19, 2022
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
Holy Spirit of God: I confess today my neglect of you. I am not yielded to your influence as I ought to be. I walk in the flesh rather than in the Spirit, and as a result I bear the fruit of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit. Gracious Holy Spirit, forgive my sin and overcome my weakness. Subdue my restless heart and overwhelm me with your presence, that I might hear your voice clearly, yield to your control eagerly, and bear your fruit consistently. Through Christ, our Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
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 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I honor you as the head of the body, the church. In you, many have become one, enemies have become family, and your people are united in love under your Lordship. Thank you for the beauty of unity and diversity, through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 45
Prayer of Consecration
Give me the grace, Lord, to set aside my distractions and join the psalmist in meditating on your perfection. Work in my imagination, so that I can see and admire you. Work on my ability to focus, so I can sustain attention on you. Work in my soul, so that I can tolerate the stillness it takes to pray deeply. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear you, because left to myself, I overstimulate my senses to numbness. Give me a refreshed heart, one that overflows with a song of love to you. This psalm reminds me that you are everything desirable: powerful, compassionate, and just, with military might and courtly splendor. Your beauty has the power to change your people. So help me meditate on your character, and be changed into your likeness. Draw me to yourself today. Amen.
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.
