Thursday, December 28, 2023
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
Lord Jesus, I confess to you the shallowness of my repentance. I am content to deal with surface sins, rather than exploring the dark contours of my inner being. I am content to offer words of repentance, rather than bringing forth the fruit of repentance. Humble me greatly today. Reveal to me the depth of my depravity and the strength of my idolatry, that I may drink more deeply of your mercy and delight more fully in the beauty of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14
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: Matthew 2
Prayer of Adoration:
Son of God: I adore you as creation’s true ruler. You are the righteous Lord, who rules with justice and mercy; not a cruel human despot who rules with fear and violence. It is my joy to worship you and honor you.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 59
Prayer of Consecration
O God: this psalm reminds me that you are attentive to every circumstance of your people’s lives. I don’t face the kind of danger King David faced; but I do know the experience of opposition and turmoil. I know how it feels to face temptation. I know distress. In all my hardships, give me the ability to do what David does. Instead of pulling away, He draws nearer to you and engages in worship - even singing and praying aloud! Make your steadfast love so real to me, that instead of feeling like David’s response is strange, I would see it instead as normal. As you were with him, you will be a fortress for me. Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love.
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.
