Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, God of my salvation, every day I call upon you, in the morning my prayer comes before you. Incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my strength fails. Renew me each morning with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Merciful Father, I come before you today not in penitent fear but in repentant faith. Because you have raised me up with Christ, I now humble myself before you. I confess that I have been proud, attempting to live an autonomous life and believing the lie of self-sufficiency. I have avoided Jesus by treasuring other things more than you and your kingdom. Have mercy on me today, O Lord my God, and empower me for greater trust, submission, and obedience, through Christ my Savior: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
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 2:13-25
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I adore you as God’s true prophet, filled with zeal for righteousness, and as God’s true sacrifice, sent to cleanse his people from their sin. Nothing is hidden from you; all of the desires and motives of men are made plain to you. Thank you that because you know what is in man, you know what is in ME - and you are able to transform the deepest recesses of my heart.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 44
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord, thank you for the refreshing honesty of this Psalm. The Psalmist cries: “Awake! Why are you sleeping, Lord?” Yet elsewhere, your word says you NEVER slumber or sleep. And so I’m reminded that the language of prayer is the language of honesty and lament. In my own life, it does sometimes seem as though you’re asleep. I experience trouble. I encounter unexpected trials. I bear ongoing burdens in my mind and body. You, Lord Jesus, know this suffering because you experienced it too. My suffering connects me to your suffering. You faced your trial alone, so that I could face mine with the full comfort and care of God. So today, rise up and help me. Do not hide your face from me. Teach me to cling to you, even in difficulty. Redeem me and deliver me, for the sake of your steadfast love.
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.
