Monday, July 24, 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
Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the working of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, joyfully obey you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ, our Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 29:1-28
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 13:44-58
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord, I adore you, because in you I have found a great treasure. Your kingdom is so valuable, so important, that it’s worth sacrificing everything for. Thank you for blessing me with the riches of your glory.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 24
Prayer of Consecration
O God: the earth is yours. You are the King of Glory who rules over everything. And that means you know everything that will come my way today... and you are in control of it all. I don’t need to doubt, worry, or be afraid, because I am yours, and you are mine. Today I want to be the person this Psalm speaks of: the one who has clean hands and a pure heart. Left to myself, this is NOT who I am. But Jesus ascended the hill of the Lord in my place; and through him, I am changed, forgiven, and transformed. He has sent the Holy Spirit to help me walk in truth and freedom. So today, blessed Spirit, I surrender myself to you. Fill me, heal me, use me, for the glory of your name.
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.
