Saturday, July 1, 2023
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, in whom we live and move and have our being, you have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Yet in my foolishness I have not trusted you, nor rested in my election as your beloved child. I confess my unbelief. Lord, grant me purity of heart and strength of purpose. Let no selfish passion hinder me from knowing your will, nor weakness from doing your will. In your light may I see light, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 17
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: Galatians 6:1-16
Prayer of Adoration:
God: I adore you that through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. I have died and been raised with Christ as a new creation. Thank you that I can now sow to the Spirit and reap eternal life.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 92
Prayer of Consecration
It IS good to give thanks to the Lord… to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. So thank you, Lord, for these moments that help me orient my heart toward you. This Psalm gives me a compelling vision for my life. When I reach old age, I want to be like a tree ever full of sap and green, still bearing fruit for you! So let me live today with that goal in mind. Help me make choices and decisions that build sound character and lay the foundation for a lifetime of godliness. Let me not find my identity in work, or in the hope of resting from work, but rather in bearing fruit for your kingdom. Thank you for the promise that one day your enemies will perish and all evildoers shall be scattered. Resting in that promise, let me work for justice and righteousness today, loving good and hating all forms of evil.
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.
