Thursday, May 30, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Heavenly Father, you made me for your glory, redeemed me by your Son, and sealed me with your Spirit. Grounded in this new identity, I make my confession before you. I grieve today the many expressions of my self-centeredness. I am self-loving; self-serving; self-protecting; self-righteous; and self-interested. The habits of my heart revolve around SELF; and so your glory does not shine brightly from my life. By your grace, forgive my sin and conquer my selfishness. Establish your Son as the king of my heart and the center of my life. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 61
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 5:1-11
Prayer of Adoration:
God: I adore you for showing your love by sending Christ to die for us while we were yet sinners. Thank you that I have peace with you through my Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 81:1-10
Prayer of Consecration
Father: this Psalm reminds me of the covenantal dynamics of life with you. You have brought your people into covenant relationship, calling us out of slavery and into blessed union with you. You ask us to be faithful to that covenant by listening to your voice and walking in your ways. Like the Israelites, we have not listened to your voice. So thank you for sending Jesus to bear the covenant curses we deserve for our unfaithfulness. Thank you that He is the mediator of a new covenant. Now, by His grace - help me listen to your voice and walk in your ways! Help me see that your blessings ARE contingent upon my obedience! When I walk with you, I experience life and joy and happiness; but when I do not walk in your ways, I experience the grievous consequences of sin. So do not give me over to my stubborn heart; instead, empower me today for wholehearted obedience to you, that I might reap the blessings of covenant faithfulness.
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.
