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

Heavenly Father, you made me for your glory, redeemed me by your Son, and sealed me with your Spirit. Grounded in this new identity, I make my confession before you. I grieve today the many expressions of my self-centeredness. I am self-loving; self-serving; self-protecting; self-righteous; and self-interested. The habits of my heart revolve around SELF; and so your glory does not shine brightly from my life. By your grace, forgive my sin and conquer my selfishness. Establish your Son as the king of my heart and the center of my life. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 15

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: Matthew 14:1-21

Prayer of Adoration:

Lord Jesus, I adore you for your great compassion. You are the good shepherd, who cares for his tired, lost, weary sheep. I come to you hungry, and you truly satisfy. Thank you for your abundant provision.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 17

Prayer of Consecration

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God. I confess that this Psalm doesn’t resonate as deeply as others. I don’t face “the wicked who do me violence” or “deadly enemies who surround me.” At least… it doesn’t seem like I do. And that’s the problem! Your word tells me that I do in fact have a sworn enemy, the devil, who seeks to destroy me. And yet, in my rationalistic slumber, I have taken him for granted, blind to the great spiritual conflict that rages around me. So today, keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Make me aware of the schemes of the enemy, and all the ways he seeks to devour and destroy. Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him, by the power of your cross and resurrection.

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.

Monday, July 31, 2023