Friday, August 23, 2024
Opening Prayer:
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Merciful Father, I come into your presence with deep gratitude, for I am no longer under the law but under grace. Resting in that truth, I freely confess my brokenness and my weakness before you. Instead of worshiping you, I have put myself at the center of my life. Instead of honoring others, I have withheld words of blessing and spoken words of harm. Have mercy on me, for Jesus' sake. By your Holy Spirit, awaken in me today passionate worship, joyful obedience, and wholehearted love for others. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 4:11-31
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: Ephesians 5:1-21
Prayer of Adoration:
Father, as your beloved child, I long to imitate you. Thank you for being such a good Father, who teaches me how to walk in light, instead of in foolishness, impurity and darkness. Thank you for awakening me from the slumber of sin and filling me with the light of Your presence.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 119:49-72
Prayer of Consecration
O God, this psalm celebrates your righteous laws. I confess that your laws don’t fill me with delight; I tend to fear that either they’ll box me in, or they’ll crush me with their standards. But then I remember that your laws are an expression of your profound concern for justice and goodness. In ancient times, your law was the first to require care for the poor, protection of the vulnerable, justice for outsiders and captives, and humane treatment of animals. So with the psalmist, I meditate on your wisdom. I affirm that you are good, and you do good. Your laws really are better than gold and silver, because they reflect your steadfast love. Thank you, Jesus, for perfectly fulfilling the law on my behalf. Filled and empowered by Your Spirit, may I love your law, and may I obey it wholeheartedly as I seek your glory in the world this day.
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.
