Monday, January 13, 2025
Opening Prayer
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
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.
Pause to confess specifically any sins the Holy Spirit may be convicting you about.
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 19
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 1:35-51
Prayer of Adoration
Lord Jesus, following you is a journey into deeper wonder and worship. Who has seen your limits? Who can know the depth of your wisdom? I treasure you as my teacher who guides me in the way of eternal life.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 36
Prayer of Consecration
Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love. This poem shows the frailty of the evil person, contrasted with the immensity of your goodness. I want to be instructed by both images - taught to turn away from the troubling picture of evil and drawn by what the psalm calls the river of your delights. Show me how to take refuge in the shadow of your wings. I feel my own scarcity; lavish me with your abundance. Give me an ever-widening aperture to take in your light. Continue your steadfast love to me. Remind me of your faithfulness that reaches the clouds, and your judgements that extend to the deep. Let these realities strengthen and satisfy me as I approach the work of this day, for Jesus’ sake.
Take time now specifically to intercede for yourself, your neighbors, your church, your city, and the world, bringing your needs and the needs of others before the Lord.
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.
