Thursday, July 18, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Heavenly Father, with my eyes fixed on Jesus, I ask you to forgive my sins. Forgive me for hurting people I love by my impatience, by my irritation, and by my unkept promises. Forgive me for caring more about what others think about me than what you think about me. Forgive me for being too busy to behold your beauty in Word, meditate on your mercies in Christ, and hear you call to me in the gospel. Have mercy on me, Father, in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 2
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: Romans 8:26-39
Prayer of Adoration:
O God, I adore you for the power and depth of the love of Christ. Because of your predestining, electing grace, I cannot be charged, I cannot be accused, and I cannot be condemned. Indeed, nothing in all creation can separate me from your love!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 71:1-16
Prayer of Consecration
Refuge. That’s the theme of this Psalm, Lord - and that’s what I need you to be for me today. Wicked and unjust people surround me. Sometimes I am in physical danger; but more often, the threats are social, psychological, and spiritual. I need someplace I can go; someone I can run to. Remind me today that you are my strong refuge; that you will never let me be put to shame; that you will not forsake me when my strength is spent. Even in these short moments now, incline your ear to me, and strengthen me through your Word and Spirit. May my mouth be filled with your praise, and with your glory all the 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.
