Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Holy Spirit of God: I confess today my neglect of you. I am not yielded to your influence as I ought to be. I walk in the flesh rather than in the Spirit, and as a result I bear the fruit of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit. Gracious Holy Spirit, forgive my sin and overcome my weakness. Subdue my restless heart and overwhelm me with your presence, that I might hear your voice clearly, yield to your control eagerly, and bear your fruit consistently. Through Christ, our Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 14:10-31
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: Mark 7:1-23
Prayer of Adoration:
God: I adore you for sending your Holy Spirit to transform your people at the deepest level. You, Holy Spirit, change me from within, so that virtue and goodness flow from my inner being. I rejoice in the beauty of your holiness; and I thank you that you are making me holy.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 79
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord, this psalm shows me how to keep childlike trust, even in the face of destruction and loss. If I’m not experiencing these things personally today, use this psalm to shape my soul for the hard times that will inevitably come. If I do confront suffering today, your word invites me to pray honestly, how long, O Lord? How long? Let your compassion come to meet me, for I’ve been brought low by circumstances in my own life, and in the world at large. In spite of these sorrows within and without, shape my inner life so that I can respond with thanks, knowing that you are my powerful and loving shepherd. I know that you will make all things right, and I pray for patience and endurance until that day comes. Be near to all your beloved ones who suffer today. Give me power, in my own small corner of the world, to reflect your goodness by doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon me, as I have hoped in 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.
