The Daily Liturgy Podcast
Friday, April 5, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn me away in anger. Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbor as myself. In your mercy, forgive what I have been, help me amend what I am, and direct what I shall be, so that I may delight in your will and walk in your ways, for the glory of your holy name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 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: Romans 6:3-14
Prayer of Adoration:
O God: I adore you for your mercy as I remember my baptism. Thank you for uniting me to Jesus in his death and resurrection; and thank you for sealing your promise to me with the waters of baptism. I praise you that I am no longer a slave to sin!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 115
Prayer of Consecration
God: this psalm reminds me that you are my protector and leader. You took your people out of a strange land where they were oppressed, and gave them a sanctuary and a home. But even that home was temporary! Today, your people throughout the world remain a people in exile, awaiting our final home. So when I feel out of place, help me remember that this is normal. This world is not my home. Help me live here with purpose; but let me never be fully assimilated. May I follow the example of Daniel and his companions as I live out my exile here: working for the good of my temporary home, praying for its peace and seeking its flourishing... but maintaining wise dissent in the face of its pressures to conform. Remind me that I’m a sojourner; awaken my longing for the new heavens and the new earth. Help me live today in ways that anticipate the arrival of your future kingdom.
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.
Thursday, April 4, 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
O Lord, I confess that my heart is restless. I have sought comfort and security in created things rather than in you, the Creator. I have suppressed the truth in unrighteousness and exchanged Your glory for lesser things. Forgive my sin, O God, and subdue my restless heart. By your Spirit, strengthen me today for greater obedience to you, greater delight in your goodness, greater trust in your promises. Help me to rest in my adoption as your child. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 9:1-17
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: Colossians 3:1-17
Prayer of Adoration:
Father, I adore you, for you have united me to your Son. I share in his death, resurrection and life. I share in his kindness, humility, love, and peace. Thank you that my life is hidden with Christ and I will one day appear with him in glory.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 105:23-45
Prayer of Consecration
Lord, this psalm and many others resound with the call to remember. With the psalmist we look back at your extraordinary work to liberate your people, bringing them out of slavery and into abundance so that they could walk freely according to your ways. You were the fire to protect them at night and the cloud to shield them during the day. You sent them daily bread and provided streams of water in unlikely places. Yet your people couldn’t fulfill the purpose of their freedom: to walk with you. I’m one of these people. I look at my history and see that even the hard times were marked by your presence and mitigated by your care. Long stretches of ordinary life show signs of your mercy. And yet, I wander. I need the faithful obedience of Jesus to cover my indifference, my rebellion, my faithlessness. Thank you that as you provided for the needs of your people in the desert, you have provided for every one of my failures with the perfect obedience of your son. Give me grace today to celebrate your beautiful provision and walk in the freedom of your ways. 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.
Wednesday, April 3, 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
O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, cold of heart and impure, in your Kingdom. Deliver me from every ignorance and heedlessness, from pettiness of the soul and stony hardness of heart. O Lord, save me from temptation; receive me in repentance; grant me pure thoughts; that I may love You with all my heart and soul and that I may obey your will in all things to the glory of your name. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 8:6-18
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: Luke 24:1-35
Prayer of Adoration:
Jesus, I worship you for your self-revelation. Without your Spirit, I am spiritually blind, but by your power and grace, my eyes have been opened. Thank you for revealing yourself that I may know you, follow you, and love you.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 105:1-22
Prayer of Consecration
Dear God, your word perpetually calls me to remember your faithfulness. Give me the clarity and capacity to think about my past in light of your loving presence. Help me meditate on all the wonderful things you have done for me. As the psalm describes your faithfulness to Israel, I remember your presence and care for me as well. You never forget your people, but you remember your covenant with us continually. As I turn my attention to the work of this day, help me to seek your presence continually. Help me not to forget the ways you’ve drawn me to yourself, the times you’ve provided for my needs, the constant generosity with which you’ve protected me and shown me your goodness. Let my heart - and the hearts of all who seek you today - rejoice.
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.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Merciful God, I confess before you that I have sinned. I have sinned in what I have thought and said; in the wrong I have done and in the good I have not done. I have sinned in ignorance; I have sinned in weakness; I have sinned through my own deliberate fault. I repent and turn to you. Forgive me, for the sake of my merciful Savior Jesus. By your Spirit, transform my desires, renew my affections, and strengthen my obedience, for the glory of your name.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 7:1-18
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 28:1-15
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the glory of your resurrection. Salvation is at hand; the curse is broken; and the renewal of all things is near. I worship you for your victory over sin and death and Hell!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 58
Prayer of Consecration
Heavenly Father: I long for you to establish your righteousness on the earth. This psalm acknowledges the reality of structural sin. Sometimes, the human leaders who are supposed to ensure justice on earth devise wrongs and deal out violence instead. I ask that you not let me be disheartened by this. Keep me from growing cynical toward all human leaders, or skeptical of every institution. Instead, move me to prayer. With the psalmist, I ask that you would hinder and disrupt the plans of the wicked. Fill my imagination with visions of how I can live righteously in my little corner of the world, trusting that my obedience is not unnoticed by you. Give me wisdom and creativity as I look for ways to enact justice. Help me see and care for the poor and needy; help me encourage the weak and faint-hearted; and help me walk in personal integrity today. May your kingdom come in my world and in my life.
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.
Monday, April 1, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Lord God Almighty: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law. Open my ears, that I may tremble at your Word. Open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day long.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord Jesus Christ: with great hope in the power of your resurrection, I acknowledge my sin before you. I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbor as myself. Forgive my sin, O merciful Savior. Cleanse my heart with your renewing grace, that my love may be perfected and my obedience made complete, for your glory and my good: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:7
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 16:1-13
Prayer of Adoration:
Eternal, triumphant, risen Lord Jesus: the tomb is empty! I adore you for your vindication from your enemies, your power over sin, and your victory over the grave. You are great, and glorious!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 35
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord, in this psalm, David prays for you defend him, contending with those who contend against him. He feels the disorienting pain of betrayal; though he has sought the good of others, they have turned on him in malice and deceit. I, too, have experienced the betrayal of friends; I, too, cry out to you for vindication. But more importantly, I allow this psalm to point me to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was betrayed by his friends; he was accused by false witnesses. I thank you, Lord Jesus, for your humble obedience. And I ask you, as the King of Kings, to contend with the enemies of your kingdom. When your people are unjustly accused, defend them. When they are pursued, protect them. When they are in danger of harm, deliver them. Rise to our help, reminding us that you are our salvation. Then we will rejoice in your salvation and thank you for your steadfast love.
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.
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my past, my present, and my future. Awaken me now, to seek you while you may be found, to call upon you while you are near, and to live a life that brings glory to your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord Jesus: on this day, I confess my lack of joy. Your resurrection has changed the world! It is the most joyful news in all of history! Yet I remain Stoic or even despondent, not allowing the joy of the resurrection to permeate my disposition. Forgive me, Lord Jesus. Help me to rejoice! Especially today, as I prepare for worship on Easter Sunday, fill my heart with joy and life and my body with exuberant gladness. Let my joy be contagious, and my gratitude evident, through the grace of your Holy Spirit: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Job 14:1-14
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 27:57-66
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: I praise you for the quiet anticipation of this day. Death could not hold you, sin could not defeat you, Sheol could not contain you. I adore you as the one who tasted death for me.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 31
Prayer of Consecration
Lord Jesus: how unsurprising that the words you spoke from the cross were the words of Scripture. The Scriptures were your life; let them be mine as well. This Psalm concludes, “Be strong, and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord!” As I wait for Easter Sunday tomorrow, let my heart take courage. And remind me that in one way, all of life is Holy Saturday. We are always looking back and looking forward. So let me anticipate the new heavens and the new earth in the same way I anticipate the morning. Let the joy of Easter Sunday remind me of the eternal joy that awaits all who hope in you. 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.
Friday, March 29, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn me away in anger. Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord Jesus: it is the day of your death. And on this day, I confess that I was complicit in your murder. It was my sin that nailed your hands to the cross; my wickedness that pressed the thorns into your brow; my pride that stabbed the spear into your side. I cried out for your crucifixion; I mocked and spit upon you. Yet it was for me that you said, “Father, forgive them;” it was for me that you said, “It is finished.” With the thief on the cross I see your great love, and I plead, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” It is I, not you, who deserve condemnation. Forgive my great sin, and receive me through your mercy. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
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 15:21-41
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: in the shame, scorn, and humiliation of the cross, I adore you. There you hang, mocked, beaten, reviled, and abandoned; and yet beautiful. What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
Psalm Reading: Psalm 22
Prayer of Consecration
Lord Jesus: this Psalm, more than any other, foretells your death. All those who saw you mocked you, wagging their heads and saying, “he trusts in God; let God deliver him.” But Father: you DIDN’T deliver your son. He was poured out like water. His bones went out of joint. His heart melted like wax. His clothes were divided. His hands and feet were pierced. And all of this, so that the offspring of Israel might stand in awe of him, and all the ends of the earth might turn to him. I will gaze on Jesus’ suffering in my heart today, remembering that he suffered for me. 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.
Thursday, March 28, 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
Lord Jesus: on this Maundy Thursday, I confess my abandonment of you. Like your disciples who fled in fear, I too have turned my back on you. I have been ashamed to associate with you and unwilling to bear your name courageously before others. I have failed to stand up for what’s right, and I have gone along with the ways of the world. Forgive me, Lord Jesus. In the Last Supper, I see you inviting fearful disciples into fellowship with you, through the cup that represents your costly sacrifice. In this, I know you welcome even me to your Table. And so I come, confident of your forgiveness. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50
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: John 18:1-19-16
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: I adore you for the agony you endured on my behalf. Who can understand the depth of your suffering? I close my mouth in silence and bow my knee in worship.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 116
Prayer of Consecration
Lord Jesus: as I read this psalm, I hear it as though coming from your lips, and takes on fuller and deeper meaning. The Father DID hear your pleas for mercy. He DID free your soul from the snares of death. And because the Father did these things for you, I KNOW he will do them for me. “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” Let me lift high your salvation today, and let me call on you for help - for in so doing, I honor 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.
Wednesday, March 27, 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
O Lord: at the midpoint of this Holy Week, I admit my weariness. Like your disciples who fell asleep in the hour of prayer, I find myself lulled to sleep by the cares of life. Rather than being alert and ready for worship and prayer, I am slothful and slow of heart. Let my weakness remind me that it is you alone that I need. You were alone in the garden; you were alone on the cross; and it is in you alone that I find redemption. So let my weakness drive me to you for strength, and let my weariness remind me of your abundant grace for all the weak and weary. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 12:1-14
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 14:1-42
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: you have given me your broken body that my hunger would be filled. You have poured out your blood that my sin would be forgiven. In your death, I am made alive. Thank you for laying down your life so that I could have life.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 70
Prayer of Consecration
Lord Jesus: the Psalms were your prayer book, and you doubtless prayed these words as you suffered for me. Your own people delighted as you were brought low. The same crowds that cheered for you days before encouraged Pilate to crucify you. In my own life, I’m like those people. I’ve called myself a follower of yours, but I deny you with my sin. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for bearing the shame and rejection that I deserved. Give me new allegiance to you as I take up citizenship in your kingdom and identify myself with you. Give me greater confidence in being associated with you, and may your name be always on my lips and your praise always on my tongue. 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.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Almighty God, as I enter Holy Week, I admit the depth of my distraction. Deep worship comes through deep reflection… but my soul is shallow. I am distracted and worried about many things. My soul lacks the peace and rest to meditate deeply on your cross. Thank you that you died for even this - your sacrifice covers even my weakness in pondering your sacrifice! By Your Spirit, increase my capacity for wonder, rest, and worship, as I set aside these moments to reflect on your Word. Through Jesus Christ, my Savior: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
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: Hebrews 4:14-5:9
Prayer of Adoration:
Jesus, I adore you today as one who deals gently with the weak. You sympathize with my weaknesses, and you welcome me to draw near to find mercy and grace in my time of need. With confident humility, I draw near to you as my merciful high priest!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 71
Prayer of Consecration
O God: as I hear the words of this Psalm, I imagine them on the lips of Jesus as he journeyed toward the cross. The sorrow and distress expressed in this psalm anticipates what he must have experienced in the days before his death. I confess my tendency to avoid suffering and pain; I’m prone to ignore sadness and lament. But this is not the way of Jesus. He was acquainted with sorrow and grief, and never more than when he approached his death. When I’m tempted to acknowledge his suffering intellectually, and not engage it with my soul, I invite you to slow me down, orient my heart, and help me feel. Increase my sensitivity to my own sin, and to the dullness of my affections. And in those times when I labor under an oversized burden of guilt, remind me that Jesus has lifted my burden and I am free. Today, O God, be not far from me; make haste to help me. Let your Spirit work deeply in me, for Jesus’ sake. 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.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Lord God Almighty: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law. Open my ears, that I may tremble at your Word. Open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day long.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Father: as I enter Holy Week, I confess the weakness of my love for the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the week of his death and resurrection; a week that changed the world forever; yet I confess that to me, it feels like just another Monday morning. Through your Word, your Spirit, and your people, awaken my cold heart and stir my affections for Christ. Let me enter this week with the eyes of my heart wide open to the beauty and glory of my Savior’s love for me.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9
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: Hebrews 9:11-22
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I praise you for offering yourself without blemish as a sacrifice for sin through the eternal Holy Spirit. I adore you for the eternal redemption you secured through your blood. Thank you for purifying my conscience from dead works, that I might serve the living God.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 36
Prayer of Consecration
Lord God: I praise you today for your steadfast love, displayed most fully in the gift of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This Psalm uses language of feasting to describe the joy of those who find fellowship with you. It also speaks plainly of the reality of evil - of those whose hearts are given to wickedness and sin. I want to be instructed by both images: motivated to turn away from sin, and drawn toward the river of your delights. So today, make your steadfast love real to me. As I think on Jesus’ death and resurrection, help me see the great wickedness of sin with fresh clarity, and help me turn from it decisively. Give me eyes to see also the greatness of your love for me in Christ, and let me be moved to worship and awe. “In your light, we see light” - so let the darkness of Good Friday and the bright light of Easter Sunday illumine my vision this week. Let me see all of reality through the lens of the cross and resurrection.
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.
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my past, my present, and my future. Awaken me now, to seek you while you may be found, to call upon you while you are near, and to live a life that brings glory to your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Merciful Father, I come before you today not in penitent fear but in repentant faith. Because you have raised me up with Christ, I now humble myself before you. I confess that I have been proud, attempting to live an autonomous life and believing the lie of self-sufficiency. I have avoided Jesus by treasuring other things more than you and your kingdom. Have mercy on me today, O Lord my God, and empower me for greater trust, submission, and obedience, through Christ my Savior: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-40
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: Luke 19:28-44
Prayer of Adoration:
Blessed are you, Lord Jesus! I honor you as Israel’s true ruler; I worship you as the sovereign King of all creation; and I submit to you as my Lord. May all glory, majesty, and honor be yours.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 118
Prayer of Consecration
O God: this is the day that you have made; I will rejoice and be glad in it! With the vast company of your people through all time, I rejoice in your steadfast love. Thank you that you are on my side, that you answer me and set me free. When I feel pressed by temptation today, I’ll call on you for help. When I feel weary with my work today, I’ll proclaim that You are my strength. When I must fight for joy today, I’ll remember to sing the glad songs of salvation. I thank you Lord, for Jesus, the stone that the builders rejected. In his death, he became the cornerstone, so that I could be joined with him as a stone in the house of God. Fill me with awe and worship of Jesus today, that by His power I might speak with boldness, live with integrity, and stand firm in every temptation.
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.
Friday, March 22, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn me away in anger. Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
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: Ecclesiastes 12
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: John 17
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: thank you for drawing me into union with yourself. The Father is in you; and you are in the Father; and I am in you. In some mysterious way I have been drawn into the very delight and communion of the Trinity; and in this mystery I bow my knee in reverent worship.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 90
Prayer of Consecration
Lord: teach me to number my days. With this Psalm ringing in my ears, I reflect on your power and permanence, contrasted with my small and temporary nature. You, Lord, are an everlasting dwelling place. I’m like the grass that springs up and then fades. So teach me to value each of the days that you’ve given me. Satisfy my restless soul with the deep knowledge that because you are from everlasting to everlasting, I have an eternal hope. Give me the grace to do today’s work with a sense of meaning and purpose, AND with a sense of humility and self-forgetfulness. In one sense, what I do won’t last; it’s fleeting and temporary. And yet in another sense, all my work done in you will last forever, because it’s an act of worship to You. So today, establish the work of my hands, O God. And satisfy me with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.
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.
Thursday, March 21, 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
God of mercy, whose Son, Jesus Christ, beckons me with the wide embrace of his love: I confess that I have been a wayward child. I have disobeyed your commands; I have been deaf to your call; I have been cold to your love. In thought, word, and deed, I have hurt others and dishonored your name. In your great mercy, receive me again as your beloved child, not because I am worthy, but for the sake of Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 11
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: John 16:16-33
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I worship you for the hope of what is to come. The day is coming when sorrow will be turned to gladness, when mourning will be turned to rejoicing, and when all that is hidden will be revealed. You have overcome the world; in just a little while, we will see you, and our joy will be full.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 79
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord, I lament with the Psalmist over the destruction of Jerusalem. As it was in his day, so it is in ours. Your people are hard-pressed on every side. Enemies of the cross taunt and mock us, saying, “Where is their God?” Christians throughout the world experience oppression and persecution. In times like these, we need you to ground us deeply in your word, so that we might respond faithfully when hard times come. So today, “let your compassion come speedily to meet us.” Help us remember Jesus, who endured great suffering on our behalf, and who has prepared great glory yet to be revealed. I know that someday you will make all things right, and I pray for patience and endurance until that day comes. Give me power, in my own small corner of the world, to see and relieve the suffering of others, and so reflect your lovingkindness. Be near to all your beloved ones who suffer today. 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.
Wednesday, March 20, 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
Heavenly Father, I enter this day full of thanksgiving, because you have redeemed my life by your mercy and grace. I worship you for such a great salvation even as I come to you in repentance. Hear my confession, Father. Forgive me for under-believing your gospel and over-believing my worries. Forgive me for being slow to listen and quick to judgement. Forgive me for failing to love you and your church. Have mercy on me, Lord, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 10
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: John 15:1-17
Prayer of Adoration:
Christ Jesus, I adore you as the vine, in whom I have life and bear fruit. Apart from you I can do nothing. Thank you that as the Father has loved you, you have loved me.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 43
Prayer of Consecration
I thank you, Lord, for this prayer, which speaks hope the downcast. Perhaps my own soul is downcast today; and even if I am not, I know those who are. So I ask you today to send out your light and your truth. The truth is, you look at your children with love, regardless of whether we feel acceptable to you, because in Christ we’re clean, whole, and welcome. Your lovingkindness is deeper than the turmoil within us. Even our discouragement can’t separate us from your love. Even our mourning can’t dim the light of your presence. So today, I say with the psalmist: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him.” For myself and for all your people who are downcast: bring us to your altar, and remind us that YOU are our exceeding joy.
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.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord God, in Christ you have adopted me as your beloved child. But I confess that deep inside my soul I doubt your love for me. Instead of being satisfied in your acceptance, I look for acceptance elsewhere. Instead of resting in your love, I am restless with fear, control, and worry. Forgive my lack of trust in your promises. Forgive my doubt of your great love. Let your perfect love cast out all fear, and free me to glorify and enjoy you fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43
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: John 14:1-14
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I worship you as the way, the truth, and the life. You are the fulfillment of my longings and the end of my wanderings. Thank you that in knowing you, I have come to know the Father.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 39
Prayer of Consecration
Oh Lord, I often forget that my days are short. My inner life is marked by a deep self-absorption, so that my pursuits, my goals, and my problems take over my thinking. This self-focus seems empowering, but in reality it’s a heavy burden. Your word reminds me that I’m not the star of my own show; instead, I’m a sojourner on the road to meet you. My life is a breath and my time on earth is fleeting. So help me make every day count for your glory. Fill me with purpose and help me give myself to your cause and your kingdom. Draw me into deeper communion with you, so that as I number my days, I find greater satisfaction in you. Deliver me from fruitless, burdensome self-absorption today. Hear my prayer and transform me, day by day, into the likeness of your son. 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.
Monday, March 18, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Lord God Almighty: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law. Open my ears, that I may tremble at your Word. Open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day long.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Holy Spirit: because of my union with Christ, you dwell within me. Yet I confess that I still live according to the flesh. I do not live in conscious dependence upon you. I do not walk in vital communion with you. I am self-reliant and self-trusting, more defined by this age than by the age to come. Forgive me, Gracious Father, for neglecting the gift of your Spirit. Today, fill me afresh with the Spirit’s presence. Revive my soul. Renew my zeal. Release your power in me, for the glory of Your name.
Old Testament Reading: Lamentations 5
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: John 13:1-30
Prayer of Adoration:
Jesus, I adore you as the Suffering Servant. Thank you for your marvelous humility, even on the night of your betrayal. I humbly receive your cleansing, and ask for the grace to serve others as you have served me.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 26
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord, this psalm draws a sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked. And I want to be righteous. I want to walk in integrity, and trust you without wavering. Yet I know that I fall short of this intention. So I thank you, Lord Jesus, that your absolute obedience, your perfect wholeness, and your complete righteousness have covered my shame and guilt like a royal garment. Because you have made me holy by grace, I can strive for holiness with my whole being. So today, when I’m tempted by falsehood or hypocrisy, help me remember your love and choose integrity. When I’m tempted toward ingratitude or selfishness, help me remember your mercy and choose thankfulness. Place my foot on level ground. Deepen my longing for your house and for your presence. Remind me that I stand with a great assembly of your people all around the world who honor you and bless 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.
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my past, my present, and my future. Awaken me now, to seek you while you may be found, to call upon you while you are near, and to live a life that brings glory to your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Almighty God: you have commanded me to love my neighbor as myself. But today, as I contemplate my lack of love, I am humbled to the dust. Too often, I avoid others when they bother me. I ignore others when they don’t interest me. I use others when they benefit me. I reject others when they sin against me. My love is shallow and self-serving. Forgive me, O God. Thank you that in Christ, you have loved me with a love incomprehensible. May your love fill me, and transform me, for the glory of your name. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 9
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: John 12:20-36
Prayer of Adoration:
Christ Jesus, I praise you as my guide who goes before me and my redeemer who saves me. Following you means following you into death, yet gaining eternal life. I bow before you as your humble servant, and I honor you as the conquering Son of God.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 130
Prayer of Consecration
Lord, thank you for the reminder that waiting is part of worship. The Psalmist writes: “my soul waits for the Lord, and in his word I hope.” So much of life with you is waiting. And though I wish your word gave answers for everything, the fact is that it doesn’t. Rather, it gives me a reason to hope, and it reveals the character of the one in WHOM I hope. I don’t know what challenges may come today, or what I may be called to suffer. But I do know that I’m not alone. Thank you for listening to my cry for mercy. Thank you that for all those who hope in Christ, you don’t mark iniquities. I wait for you, O Lord, watching for your mercy like a scout watching for the sun to rise. My soul waits for you today, and in your word I hope.
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.
Friday, March 15, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn me away in anger. Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Almighty God: I cannot keep silent about my sin; when I do, my bones waste away and your hand is heavy upon me. So I will acknowledge my sin to you, and I will not cover my iniquity. Today, I acknowledge the sin of ENTITLEMENT. I live with a demanding spirit that grabs, clutches, and expects, rather than with a generous spirit that thanks you and blesses others. Forgive me, O Lord, by the mercy of Jesus, who did not regard equality with you as something to be grasped, but emptied himself that I might be filled. Fill me up today with the freedom and joy of grace, for Your name’s sake: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 8
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: John 12:1-11
Prayer of Adoration:
Jesus, you are more precious than anything else. What can I offer you that is worthy of you? What can I give you that is not already yours? I worship you because you accept the humble sacrifices of your people and bless their praise.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 126
Prayer of Consecration
Thank you, Lord, that you are the God who restores your people. This psalm is a song of ascent sung by travelers on their way up to worship at your temple. As they reflect on their history with you, they remember the overwhelming joy of coming home from exile. Their captivity was great, and great was their deliverance, because it was executed by your great and mighty hand. Help me remember my own deliverance today. Let me look to the prisons from which I’ve been set free. At my first conversion what a release from captivity I experienced. I’ll never forget it. Since then, from many troubles, from depression of spirit, from miserable backsliding, from grievous doubt, I’ve have been emancipated; sometimes quickly and sometimes gradually. I remember the joy which followed each emancipation. As I do my work today, keep the joy of your great deliverance alive in my heart. 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.
Thursday, March 14, 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
Lord Jesus, I confess to you the shallowness of my repentance. I am content to deal with surface sins, rather than exploring the dark contours of my inner being. I am content to offer words of repentance, rather than bringing forth the fruit of repentance. Humble me greatly today. Reveal to me the depth of my depravity and the strength of my idolatry, that I may drink more deeply of your mercy and delight more fully in the beauty of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
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: John 3:1-15
Prayer of Adoration:
O God, I praise you as the giver of the new birth. Thank you that by the mysterious and unseen working of your Holy Spirit, I have been born again, and have entered the kingdom of God.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 119:1-16
Prayer of Consecration
God: I praise you for the beauty of your law. I confess that sometimes I relate to your law merely as a set of rules or a “good way to live,” forgetting that it’s actually an invitation into relational communion with you. You give me your law because you want me to walk with You in holiness and joy and flourishing. Your laws reveal your character, and they reveal your good plans for the world. So give me the resolute conviction of the Psalmist. Help me purpose to follow your commandments. Help me fix my eyes on your ways. Help me delight in obeying you. Even today, let your word be on my lips and on my heart, that I may not sin against you. I affirm that you are good, and you do good. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
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.