Thursday, May 9, 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
Lord God, although I have been raised with Christ, I have failed to put to death the sin in my heart. I have become complacent and self-satisfied. I have willfully ignored the sin that lingers in my life. Of this I repent and ask for your mercy. Direct me, O Lord, in all my doings with your gracious favor, and further me with your continual help; that in all my works begun, continued, and ended in you, I may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Micah 7
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: Luke 24:36-53
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: on this Ascension Day, I adore you as the One who not only rose from death, but ascended to heaven, and now sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty. Your ascension is proof of your victory and a prelude of your glory. Thank you that you live to make intercession for me.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 115
Prayer of Consecration
Oh Lord, it does me good to meditate on your glory. The world offers me many idols to worship: possessions, money, safety, power, entertainment, pleasure, and platform. But as this psalm says, those gods can’t do anything for me. They prove useless to meet the deeper needs of my soul. Worshiping them diminishes me and enslaves me. Rather than giving my heart to them, I will trust in the Lord today. The Lord blesses those who fear him, both the small and the great. Help me smash my idols and give glory to you, Lord, for your name’s sake. 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.
