Friday, September 29, 2023
Opening Prayer:
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Father, I come before you this day with a humble and contrite heart, which you will not despise. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight. Wash me, that I may be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, and renew in me a right spirit. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and give me a willing spirit to sustain me. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 1:1-6 and 3:19-26
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: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Prayer of Adoration:
O God: thank you that you have called me to a holy calling, not because of my works but because of your own purpose and grace. Thank you that Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. May I delight in this gospel and treasure it more deeply every day!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 119:145-160
Prayer of Consecration
This psalm takes direct aim at my apathy, cynicism, and numbness. It opens with the words, “with my whole heart, I cry!” The fervor of this psalm challenges my tendency to hold back. It pulls me toward an expressive, fiery love for you. Yet even here, I need the gospel, for I cannot love you as I want to. My affection flags, my mind wanders, I don’t feel like I can sustain that kind of passion. But then I look at your grace, O God. The whole psalm is shot through with it. Interspersed with expressions of love are cries for help, and repeated affirmations of your care and mercy. You provide for my weakness with your own perfect love, in the person and work of Christ. His steadfastness, his mercy, and his unflagging care are the wellspring of my life. Let me rest in this today and always.
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.
