Friday, January 12, 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
Heavenly Father, you made me for your glory, redeemed me by your Son, and sealed me with your Spirit. Grounded in this new identity, I make my confession before you. I grieve today the many expressions of my self-centeredness. I am self-loving; self-serving; self-protecting; self-righteous; and self-interested. The habits of my heart revolve around SELF; and so your glory does not shine brightly from my life. By your grace, forgive my sin and conquer my selfishness. Establish your Son as the king of my heart and the center of my life. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5
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: John 1:19-34
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus Christ: I behold you - and adore you - as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! You are the Eternal Son of God, who baptizes your people with the Holy Spirit. Glory to you, O Christ; glory to you.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 2
Prayer of Consecration
Oh Lord, the nations rage today just as they did long ago when this psalm was written. Rulers and kings plot destruction and violence, just as they have always done. Your people are no strangers to difficult and dangerous times. And yet we rest secure in your promise that you have set your king on Zion, your holy hill, and have given the nations as his possession. The gates of hell will not prevail against your church, and the kingdoms of this world are no match for the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Strengthen me - and all your faithful people around the world - with the certainty that you’ve established your kingdom forever. We long for the day when you will judge the world in righteousness. Until that day, let us “serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling,” bowing before king Jesus and offering him our lives in joyful surrender.
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.
