Saturday, March 11, 2023
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
Word of God Incarnate: you came to this world to accomplish salvation. By your grace, you call me to repent, to be crucified with you, and to be raised as a new creation. But I confess that often I do not live as a renewed person! I “go with the flow” instead of stemming the tide of sin. I allow the fruit of the Spirit to be choked out by the weeds of evil. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake, and help me show evidence every day of your kingdom’s reign in my heart.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 6
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 4:32-5:14
Prayer of Adoration:
JESUS: I adore you because you gave yourself up for us. You have given me an inheritance in your kingdom and have filled my life with light. As your beloved child, I long to imitate you and grow in your likeness.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 123
Prayer of Consecration
Lord, this brief psalm is a song of ascent, sung as the people went up to your house to worship. The road to worship is joyful, but it ends with a complaint and a cry for mercy. This is true for my life as well; sometimes I worship you through the dim lens of discouragement or uncertainty. This is common to human beings, and I’m so grateful that you understand our frailty, inviting us to communicate openly with you about the whole range of our experience. You desire truth in my inner being, so I offer my prayers to you with the fullest expression of trust and honesty. I lift my eyes to you, depending on you for my care and nurture today. Have mercy on me, O Lord; have mercy on 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.
