Monday, April 22, 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
Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, you have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Yet in my foolishness I have not trusted you, nor rested in my election as your beloved child. I confess my unbelief. Lord, grant me purity of heart and strength of purpose. Let no selfish passion hinder me from knowing your will, nor weakness from doing your will. In your light may I see light, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 36:22-38
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: Acts 16:1-15
Prayer of Adoration:
Holy Spirit, I praise you for your glorious work of opening hearts to the good news of Jesus. You convict, soften, and awaken, bringing new birth and new life. Thank you for applying redemption to the hearts of men and women.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 9
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord: this Psalm reminds me that you “sit enthroned forever.” You are the rightful king over all creation - and over my life. So in this quiet moment of prayer, I bow my knee before you and submit myself to you. In any places of my life where I am resisting your rule, please convict me and move me to repentance. And help me today, in all I do, to make your invisible kingdom visible. There are rival kings and rival kingdoms all around me; let me not give them my allegiance. My own heart is prone to wander from your love; keep me steady and steadfast. And help me embrace the tension of living in the “already” and the “not yet,” praying and working so that your kingdom might come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
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.
