Friday, February 17, 2023
Opening Prayer:
Lord God Almighty: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law. Open my ears, that I may tremble at your Word. Open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day long.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord Jesus, I confess to you the shallowness of my repentance. I am content to deal with surface sins, rather than exploring the dark contours of my inner being. I am content to offer words of repentance, rather than bringing forth the fruit of repentance. Humble me greatly today. Reveal to me the depth of my depravity and the strength of my idolatry, that I may drink more deeply of your mercy and delight more fully in the beauty of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 45:3-15
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 5:38-48
Prayer of Adoration:
Christ Jesus, I adore you for the love you have shown to your enemies. You are perfect as your Father is perfect, returning good for evil and mercy for persecution. Thank you for your grace which forgives me and empowers me to forgive as you have forgiven.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 17
Prayer of Consecration
O God: like David, I wish to keep my words free from deceit, my way free from violence, and my feet on a steady path. But I know that even on my best day, my integrity falls short of your perfection - as David’s did also. Only one person can truly say, “You have tested me and you will find nothing.” Only Jesus lived with perfect honesty, peace, and integrity. Lord, I thank you that in Jesus, you answered David’s cry for steadfast love, his desire to be the apple of your eye. I desire these things too. Let me pause and meditate on the reality that because of Jesus’ work, I AM your treasured child. Some day, I will behold your face in righteousness, because I’m clothed completely in his righteousness. Satisfy my soul with the beauty of this assurance. 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.
