Friday, November 3, 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
Merciful Father, I come before you today not in penitent fear but in repentant faith. Because you have raised me up with Christ, I now humble myself before you. I confess that I have been proud, attempting to live an autonomous life and believing the lie of self-sufficiency. I have avoided Jesus by treasuring other things more than you and your kingdom. Have mercy on me today, O Lord my God, and empower me for greater trust, submission, and obedience, through Christ my Savior: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Micah 3:5-12
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: 2 Thessalonians 2
Prayer of Adoration:
Before I loved you, O God my Father, you loved me, and by grace you have given me comfort and hope. I adore you that my hope is not subject to change, but is securely anchored in your eternal word. What a firm foundation I have in Christ! Thank you for calling me to salvation through the gospel.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-43
Prayer of Consecration
Father: this Psalm is thick with images of reversal. You are the God who turns rivers into deserts, and parched lands into springs of water. The evil who seem to prosper, you bring low in judgment; while the needy and afflicted, you raise up and establish. Today, I take great hope in this! There are places in my life where I need reversal. In the dry and thirsty corners of my soul, I need you to bring life. In the places where I’ve stopped praying and trusting you because it seems fruitless, I need you to bring fresh hope. In the world around me where evil people seem to prosper, I long for you to bring them low and shut the mouth of wickedness. Help me remember that rivers don’t dry up in a moment, and new vineyards don’t become fruitful overnight. Let me attend to these things and be wise; let me consider your steadfast love and rest my hope in you.
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.
