Saturday, August 31, 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.
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: Ezekiel 33:1-20
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: 1 Timothy 1:8-17
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus Christ, I adore you for your gracious act of salvation to those who were once your enemies. By your mercy, your law exposes sinful hearts. And by your mercy, you came into the world to save those same sinners. Thank you, Lord.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 149
Prayer of Consecration
Lord, your word encourages your people to extravagantly praise you, and to rejoice in your name. Thank you that you invite free, enthusiastic praise. As another week draws to a close, I anticipate the Lord’s day, when your people gather to do just what this Psalm says! In the meantime, cultivate a joyful heart in me, and set me free from passive worship. Help me to fully engage my mind, soul, and body in the worship of you. Furthermore, help me remember that worship is warfare. Praising you means longing for evil and sin to be destroyed. So give me grace to fight sin with all my heart, and to faithfully wage war against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
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.
