Saturday, December 31, 2022
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
Holy Spirit: because of my union with Christ, you dwell within me. Yet I confess that I still live according to the flesh. I do not live in conscious dependence upon you. I do not walk in vital communion with you. I am self-reliant and self-trusting, more defined by this age than by the age to come. Forgive me, Gracious Father, for neglecting the gift of your Spirit. Today, fill me afresh with the Spirit’s presence. Revive my soul. Renew my zeal. Release your power in me, for the glory of Your name.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 44:1-8
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 1:1-18
Prayer of Adoration:
Word of God, full of grace and truth: I worship you because out of your fullness I have received grace upon grace. In you, the glory of God is made known; in you, the true light has come into the world.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 87
Prayer of Consecration
O God: this day will bring its share of concerns and distractions. Help me set them aside for a moment to meditate on the beauty of your holy mountain. This psalm describes Zion, towering above the nations. You have built up her gates, and she is a glorious place of welcome for the people. The psalm speaks of your plan to extend your love beyond your chosen people, Israel, outward to include the surrounding nations. Thank you for extending your invitation to me, because I too was an outsider before you brought me in. Your kingdom is beautiful, expansive, and welcoming. Help me live for the city of God today, even as I dwell among the city of man. And give me a warm hospitality to those who are not yet your people, that I may invite them to enter the gates of Zion through faith in Jesus.
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.
