Saturday, October 23, 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.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Almighty God: you have commanded me to love my neighbor as myself. But today, as I contemplate my lack of love, I am humbled to the dust. Too often, I avoid others when they bother me. I ignore others when they don’t interest me. I use others when they benefit me. I reject others when they sin against me. My love is shallow and self-serving. Forgive me, O God. Thank you that in Christ, you have loved me with a love incomprehensible. May your love fill me, and transform me, for the glory of your name. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Amos 5:18-24
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: Hebrews 4:12-16
Prayer of Adoration:
Almighty God, I worship you today for your Word, before which I am completely exposed. Nothing is hidden from you, for you know even my secret thoughts and intentions. And despite your intimate knowledge of me, you invite me to draw near, because Jesus the Son of God is my high priest. Thank you for the mercy and grace that is mine in him!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 130 & 131
Prayer of Consecration
O God: these psalms picture a quiet soul; a trusting soul; a waiting soul. How I want that! Yet I confess that my soul is often hurried and harried and busy and scattered. Today, I want to ask for your grace to change that. I hear the language of will and decision in the psalm: “I have calmed and quieted my soul.” This takes intention. It takes purpose. It won’t “just happen.” So even now, in these quiet moments of reflection, I choose to quiet my soul. I choose to wait for the Lord. I choose to slow down - to notice my lungs breathing in and out… my ears hearing and taking in these words… my body filling the space I now occupy. Right now, I choose to let go of things too lofty for me - all the events that are beyond my power and agency. And instead, like a child with its mother, I rest my soul in the presence of the Lord.
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.
