Saturday, July 8, 2023

Jul 8

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, I confess today my worry and anxiety. Instead of resting in your sovereignty, I fear the unknown. Instead of bringing my requests before you in prayer, I worry and fret. Instead of letting you be God, I fight for control. Forgive me, O Lord. Help me to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness. Set me free from all anxious thoughts today. Give me contentment and peace, for you have assured me that if I seek your kingdom, I will not lack any good thing. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 9

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: Colossians 1:1-14

Prayer of Adoration:

Father, I adore you for your word of truth, the gospel, which even today is bearing fruit and increasing in the whole world, and in me. Like your servant Paul, I thank you for the saints, your church, whom you have redeemed and who bear witness to your glory.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 145

Prayer of Consecration

God: “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.” I confess how frequently I take you for granted, going days and even weeks without blessing you and praising your name. This Psalm is a rebuke to my hurried, busy, unattentive life. Like the Psalmist, I want to meditate on your wondrous works. I want to speak of your awesome deeds. I want to tell of your power and commend your works to the next generation. You are near to all who call on you - which means you are near to ME as I spend these moments in prayer. Let me know and feel your nearness. My eyes look to you today; satisfy my desire, hear my cry, show me your kindness. Fill my mind and my mouth with your praises, that I may declare your glory throughout this day.

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.