Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Opening Prayer:
Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Almighty God: because of Christ’s blood, do not hold against me, poor sinner that I am, any of my sin, or of the evil that constantly clings to me. By myself I am too weak to stand on my own even for a moment. And my sworn enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil - never stop attacking me. Uphold me and make me strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that I may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist my enemies until I finally win the complete victory, through Jesus Christ my Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ruth 1
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: Mark 12:28-44
Prayer of Adoration:
Christ Jesus, I adore you as the one worthy of all my love. I know how often I fail to keep your greatest commandment; yet you have died for my sin, and you dwell in me by your Spirit, empowering me to truly love you and my neighbor.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 18:25-50
Prayer of Consecration
“O God, your way is perfect.” This whole psalm is David’s extended meditation on your way… your style of doing things. Your mode of operating in the world. The more I walk with you, the more I know your way. In fact, it gets more more beautiful and captivating the longer I walk with you. And your way finds its zenith and fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who fulfills all the battle-language of this Psalm: who has overtaken his enemies, subdued the nations, and brought salvation to his people. I have known darkness, yet through Christ you light my path. I have been exposed and vulnerable, yet through Christ you protect and restore me. Like David, I have weathered turbulent times - and if I haven’t yet, I inevitably will. Yet through Christ, you anchor me in spite of my turmoil. “This is God. His way is perfect.” Thank you, O God, that your word proves true; and that You are a shield for all who take refuge in You.
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.
