Tuesday, April 16, 2024
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. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Glorious God: I confess today the great sin of Pride. I have thought too highly of myself. I have spoken boastfully, loved selfishly, and lived independently. Forgive me, and conquer my pride through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to the point of death. Make me humble like him, that I might bear his image more faithfully. Amen
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-27
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 8:26-40
Prayer of Adoration:
Father, thank you for the good news of Jesus, which fulfills the law and the prophets. By the proclamation of your word, you continue to bring sinners around the world to repentance and faith. I worship you as the Lord of every people, tribe, and nation.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 7
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord God: the world is full of hardship and sometimes even brutality. Many of your people face opposition and suffering. Arise and defend them, O Lord. With the Psalmist, I look for the day when you return to judge the earth once and for all, shielding your people from harm and driving oppression away. Even now, I know that you judge the peoples; no act of evil goes unaccounted for, and all will be brought to judgment on the last day. This Psalm says that you “feel indignation every day.” I thank you for that truth, and I worship you as the defender and protector of your people. This Psalm also says that you test minds and hearts. So help me to reckon seriously with your righteous judgement, and to keep a repentant heart toward you. Remove all wickedness from my life, and give me clean hands and a pure heart. 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.
