Monday, April 15, 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 that I often honor you with my lips while my heart is far from you. I am content to appear righteous instead of truly being righteous. I repent of my sin and my self-love. Please search my heart, examine my motives, and forgive my faults. Awaken me to your glory, and send your Spirit to renew and change my heart. Help me to hear your voice today above the clamor of this world, and follow only you. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 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: Acts 7:35-60
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord, I adore you, for you see and know your people. Even in death, those who belong to you cannot be separated from you. Thank you for the witness of the martyrs, who spread the seed of your church as they give their lives for you.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 4
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord: Reading the psalms teaches me to pray like David, with a holy insistence that you hear me and answer! When your transcendence makes you seem unapproachable, let me come to you with the bold insistence of a treasured child. Teach my soul to reason thus: my Father loves me, he wants my companionship, he invites my most honest prayers. I don’t have to clean myself up or figure out the perfect words to say; “the Lord has set apart the godly for himself, the Lord hears when I call to him.” So make me bold to call upon you, O Lord. Though the world is filled with all kinds of trouble, I entrust myself to you completely. I will lie down and sleep tonight in peace, for you make me dwell in safety. 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.
