Saturday, June 8, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Gracious and merciful God: I confess to you today my lack of faith. You have saved me by grace, yet still I try to earn your favor by my works. You have met my deepest need in Christ, yet still I doubt your fatherly care. You have given me your Spirit, yet still I walk according to the flesh. Forgive my lack of faith, and strengthen me by your grace, that I may walk with you in freedom, joy, and worship. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19
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: Galatians 3
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: I adore you because you redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. In you, the blessing of Abraham has come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Thank you for bearing the curse, that we might inherit the blessing.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 139
Prayer of Consecration
Father: this Psalm reminds me of how intimately you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise. You discern my thoughts from afar. You formed my innermost parts while I was in my mother’s womb. There is no place I can go to flee from your presence; nowhere in all of creation where I can escape you. Your vast knowledge is both comforting and challenging. It’s comforting because I don’t have to pretend; but it’s challenging because I can’t hide. I confess that I don’t really WANT to be known this intimately. There are parts of me I’d rather keep hidden - from you and others. So show me today what parts of my life I’m trying to hide. Reveal to me where I’m trying to flee from your presence. And then, in your grace, chase me down and take hold of me. Search out my path, and bring me out of hiding. KNOW me, even where I resist being known, that I might be changed by your all-consuming presence.
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.
