Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Dec 13

Opening Prayer:

O Lord, God of my salvation, every day I call upon you, in the morning my prayer comes before you. Incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my strength fails. Renew me each morning with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.

Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace

Merciful God: You created me in your image, with a mind to know you, a heart to love you, and a will to serve you. But my knowledge is imperfect, my love inconstant, my obedience incomplete. Day by day, I fail to grow into your likeness. I confess my failure to glorify you as you designed me to. In your tender love, forgive me by the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Strengthen me by your Spirit to walk in a manner worthy of the calling I have received, for the glory of your name. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-16

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: Romans 15:4-13

Prayer of Adoration:

O God: I worship you for being the one who fills me with hope. Thank you for the encouragement of the Scriptures and for the power of the Holy Spirit. I praise your name among the nations, for you are the God of hope.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 63

Prayer of Consecration

In your name I lift up my hands, O Lord, offering this day to you. Today I continue this pilgrim journey, awaiting your coming kingdom. Awaken in me a vibrant, living desire to please you. Let me not quench your Spirit; instead, let me be filled with his power and influence. I ask for an ever-expanding capacity to know - really know - the friendship of the Holy Spirit, so that my life expresses the life of Jesus. Make me wise to see all things in light of eternity, and make me brave to face all the changes in my life that come from this vision. Give me a deeper sense of your companionship today, as you are the One who knows what life is like for me, because you dwell within me and have joined your life to mine.

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.