Wednesday, March 13, 2024
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
Holy God: Dust I am, and to dust I shall return. I am like a flower of the field, that appears for a little while and then vanishes. But I confess my tendency to live days, weeks, even months at a time with little thought for my mortality, and little consideration for eternity. Forgive my presumption and self-reliance. Humble me to the dust, that I might be ever-mindful of my frailty, and freshly awed by your eternal, infinite beauty. Through Christ, our Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-32
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: Philippians 2:4-11
Prayer of Adoration:
Christ Jesus: I bow my knee today before the name that is above every other name. I worship you for your obedience, for your humility, for emptying yourself to the point of death. I confess that you are Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 109:21-31
Prayer of Consecration
Oh Lord, today I cry out to you on behalf of the poor and needy. There are so many who suffer from various kinds of violence and oppression. With the psalmist I cry out for justice. In prayer, I enter into the hardship of others. Because of your steadfast love, I can pour out my lament honestly before you. Even if I live a safe, secure life, help me remember that you stand at the right hand of the needy and oppressed. Someday all your people will be gathered into one great assembly, alive, healed, and filled with praise. Until that day, give me grace to return thanks and praise to you. And give me eyes to see how I can use the resources you’ve given me to bless and serve those in need. Amen.
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.
