Friday, March 31, 2023
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn me away in anger. Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Holy Spirit of God: I confess today my neglect of you. I am not yielded to your influence as I ought to be. I walk in the flesh rather than in the Spirit, and as a result I bear the fruit of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit. Gracious Holy Spirit, forgive my sin and overcome my weakness. Subdue my restless heart and overwhelm me with your presence, that I might hear your voice clearly, yield to your control eagerly, and bear your fruit consistently. Through Christ, our Lord: Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Ecclesiastes 12
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: John 17
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus: thank you for drawing me into union with yourself. The Father is in you; and you are in the Father; and I am in you. In some mysterious way I have been drawn into the very delight and communion of the Trinity; and in this mystery I bow my knee in reverent worship.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 90
Prayer of Consecration
Lord: teach me to number my days. With this Psalm ringing in my ears, I reflect on your power and permanence, contrasted with my small and temporary nature. You, Lord, are an everlasting dwelling place. I’m like the grass that springs up and then fades. So teach me to value each of the days that you’ve given me. Satisfy my restless soul with the deep knowledge that because you are from everlasting to everlasting, I have an eternal hope. Give me the grace to do today’s work with a sense of meaning and purpose, AND with a sense of humility and self-forgetfulness. In one sense, what I do won’t last; it’s fleeting and temporary. And yet in another sense, all my work done in you will last forever, because it’s an act of worship to You. So today, establish the work of my hands, O God. And satisfy me with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.
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.
