Tuesday, October 1, 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
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. For although you have forgiven my sin, I have not forgiven those who sin against me. Inwardly, I harbor bitterness, resentment, and anger. Lift my eyes to your cross, Lord Jesus, that in remembrance of your salvation I would be freed from all resentment. Moreover, purify my thoughts and protect me from biting, sarcastic words. Help me to love and forgive others as you have loved and forgiven me, to the glory of your name. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Numbers 11:1-29
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 9:38-50
Prayer of Adoration:
Jesus: I adore you for the clarity and urgency of your call to discipleship. Thank you for warning me of the destructive effects of sin, and for driving me out of complacency, toward your open, loving arms.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 106:34-48
Prayer of Consecration
Holy Spirit, I invite your work in me as I meditate on this psalm. Although it’s a song about Israel’s history, it invites me to consider my own history with you. You called your people to come out and be separate from the culture around them, but they didn’t obey; instead they assimilated. The culture’s idols became their idols. The culture demanded their allegiance, and they gave it, even to the point of sacrificing their own children to false gods. I know that I am capable of the same betrayal. The false gods of my culture are strong, and they demand my allegiance. So today as I go about my work, show me how I need to separate from the culture around me. Life with you is so much better than the narrow, suffocated life the world offers. Satisfy me with your love today, for Jesus’ sake.
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.
