Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Opening Prayer:
Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord God, in Christ you have adopted me as your beloved child. But I confess that deep inside my soul I doubt your love for me. Instead of being satisfied in your acceptance, I look for acceptance elsewhere. Instead of resting in your love, I am restless with fear, control, and worry. Forgive my lack of trust in your promises. Forgive my doubt of your great love. Let your perfect love cast out all fear, and free me to glorify and enjoy you fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 7
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: Mark 10:35-45
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I adore you, because you did not come to be served, but to serve. Thank you for your humility. Thank you for your condescension. Thank you for your example. You ask nothing of me that you have not modeled yourself; as you have served others, you ask me to serve others. Thank you that you gave your life as a ransom for me so that I can follow you in joyful obedience.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 43
Prayer of Consecration
O God: if MY OWN soul is not cast down and in turmoil today, then someone I know is facing this reality. Life in this world is fraught with difficulties, and sometimes hope and joy seem to vanish. So I pray today for myself, and for all who are downtrodden and discouraged. I ask you to “send forth your light and your truth.” Let the goodness and truth of your Word comfort your people in their despair, O Lord. Rather than pulling away from You, give us the power to seek You, to cry out to You, to praise You. And by your Spirit, help us to preach to ourselves rather than listening to ourselves. Give us the courage to say: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God!” Let us not give in to discouragement today, but fight against it with the power of your Word.
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.
