Monday, July 10, 2023
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
O Lord, you promise to work all things for my good, Yet I confess that instead of delighting in your grace, I find reasons to be unhappy. I have filled my life with busyness and scheduled myself into exhaustion. I have been quick to judge others and slow to forgive them. Open my eyes to Your glory which is all around me, and to Your love which is smiling through all things. Renew in me a sense of wonder in You and your good creation. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:1-15
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: Matthew 13:1-23
Prayer of Adoration:
Holy Spirit, I adore you for planting the seed of the gospel in my heart. Thank you for opening my ears and eyes to the message of the kingdom and for nurturing my growth in holiness, that I may bear fruit for your glory.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 15
Prayer of Consecration
O God: this is the person I want to be. One who does what is right; speaks truth; does not slander or do evil to a neighbor; one who honors the godly, protects the innocent, and keeps his word. Thank you that this Psalm so perfectly describes the Lord Jesus Christ, who ascended your holy hill on my behalf. And thank you that because I belong to you, you send the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of righteousness in my character. You are making me into this kind of person. The progress is inevitable! So today, help me choose what is right; help me speak words of blessing and life; help me love truth and despise falsehood and evil. Thank you for the promise that “he who does these things shall never be moved;” anchor me and steady me in a life of joyful obedience to you.
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.
