Friday, April 12, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
God my Father, I confess that in my weakness and unbelief I have lived by my own strength rather than by the power of your resurrection. I admit my self-reliance, and I turn from it. By your Spirit, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use me as you will, for your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 15:1-18
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: Acts 5:27-42
Prayer of Adoration:
GOD: Thank you for raising Jesus from the dead and exalting him to your right hand. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit, given freely to those who obey you. And thank you for the witness of the apostles, who rejoiced in suffering for your name.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 97
Prayer of Consecration
O God: this Psalm instructs me to hate evil. Give me the grace to do so! I confess that I am often dull to the evil that lurks in my own heart; give me eyes to see it and hate it. Help me resolve to put sin to death relentlessly. Awaken in me holy longings and a deep passion for obedience. This Psalm uses the language of sowing and reaping; it says, “light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” So help me sow seeds of righteousness and virtue, that I may reap their fruit in due season. Because you reign, and because you are exalted above every other God, you are worthy of my trust and obedience. Help me trust and obey you today.
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.
