Monday, April 29, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Lord God Almighty: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law. Open my ears, that I may tremble at your Word. Open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day long.
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: Ezekiel 37:1-14
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: 1 John 1:1-2:2
Prayer of Adoration:
God: I adore you because you are Light, and in you there is no darkness. Thank you for the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from all sin. And thank you that you are faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sin to you.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 2
Prayer of Consecration
Oh Lord, the nations rage today just as they did when this Psalm was written. Empires and kingdoms rise and fall. Rulers plot evil against your people, as they have always done. Thank you for the reminder that you laugh at the plans of the wicked. You have set King Jesus on Zion, your holy hill, and you have given the nations as his heritage. Nothing will hinder or thwart the spread of his rule and reign. I rest today in your strong sovereignty over all things. I do not know what trials may come my way, but I know who holds the future. You have established your kingdom forever, and someday you will judge the world in righteousness. So today, may I serve you with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Amen.
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.
