Friday, June 18, 2021
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
O Lord, I acknowledge before you my sin, my wounds, and my weakness. I need your forgiveness; I need your healing; I need your strength. In Christ, you draw near to the weak and needy. You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Forgive my sin, for Jesus’ sake. Heal my wounds, for Jesus’ sake. Show your strength in my weakness, for Jesus’ sake. By your Spirit, empower me today to delight in you and to obey your will, seeking your glory above all else. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-14
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 Corinthians 4:13-5:5
Prayer of Adoration:
O God: I adore you for the tremendous glory of things unseen. Thank you that though my outer self is wasting away, my inner self is being renewed day by day. Thank you for all the momentary afflictions you send my way to prepare for me an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 130
Prayer of Consecration
Lord, I think of ancient watchmen on the city walls, waiting for morning, when the threat of a nighttime attack would be over. That’s how I want to wait for you - not with passive apathy, but with earnest intention, looking, watching, scanning the horizon for evidences of your grace. And that’s how I want to hope in your word - not letting your truth passively fall upon my ears, but taking it in, ruminating on it, letting it fill me with life and joy and courage. So as I begin this day, let me wait upon you. Even if that “waiting” is just a few precious minutes before the duties of the day press in on me - let me cherish the chance to wait on you and to watch for your goodness in my life. Like the sun rising to meet the day, let me see your goodness rising to meet all the challenges in my life today.
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.
