Saturday, July 15, 2023

Jul 15

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 8:1-12

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 1:15-29

Prayer of Adoration:

Lord Jesus Christ: I adore you because by you all things were created, and in you all things hold together. You are the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything you might be preeminent.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 130

Prayer of Consecration

Father, today I hear the Psalmist telling me, “O Israel, hope in the Lord!” And my soul says, “I will! I will wait for the Lord, and in his word I will hope.” Lord, I realize that hope involves waiting. Like night-watchmen wait for the morning, life with you is full of waiting and hoping, trusting that you will make good on your promises. So help me wait on you. Let me not be in a hurry. Help me reject the lies of instant gratification and immediate fulfillment. Strengthen my hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, that I might embrace a long obedience in the same direction.

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.