Monday, September 30, 2024
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Glorious God: I confess today the great sin of Pride. I have thought too highly of myself. I have spoken boastfully, loved selfishly, and lived independently. Forgive me, and conquer my pride through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who humbled himself to the point of death. Make me humble like him, that I might bear his image more faithfully. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 32:1-14
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 22:1-14
Prayer of Adoration:
Almighty God: I praise you because you have invited me to the wedding feast of your son. Your banquet hall is open wide to all those who will trade the tattered rags of sin for the wedding garments of your grace. Thank you for Your extravagant generosity!
Psalm Reading: Psalm 106:1-6, 9-13
Prayer of Consecration
O God: this psalm remembers the history of Israel’s relationship with you. Grounded first in your steadfast love and mighty work, it unfolds to show Israel breaking her covenant with you to worship the golden calf in the desert. Without Moses’ meditating presence, the people would have died for their sin. I see that this isn’t just Israel’s story, it’s also my story. I too have been drawn in by your love, but find myself going back to other sources of help and security. Like Israel, I fear the unknown. I prefer a god I can manage and manipulate. But you are completely unlike any other god; you interact with your people on your own terms. When I was alienated from you because I was worshipping other things, you sent Jesus, the better Moses, to stand in the breach for me. Thank you that I belong to a new covenant with you. Help me see my idols for the useless things they are, and be drawn to you again by your love.
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.
