Thursday, January 12, 2023
Opening Prayer:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know my words before I speak them. You know my past, my present, and my future. Awaken me now, to seek you while you may be found, to call upon you while you are near, and to live a life that brings glory to your name.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord Jesus, if I say I have no sin, I deceive myself and the truth is not in me; so I humbly confess my sins today. The idols of my heart are many. I have bowed down to false gods. I have looked to them to provide what only you can provide. Forgive me. Free me. Deepen my sorrow for the wrong I have done and the good I have left undone. My comfort is found in knowing that you are full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in grace. I trust boldly in Christ my redeemer. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1
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: Acts 19:1-10
Prayer of Adoration:
Holy Spirit: thank you that you fill all who are baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Your power and presence are not for a select few; you delight to take up residence in all who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. I worship you, with the Father and the Son; one God in three persons, now and forever: Amen.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 125
Prayer of Consecration
God: thank you that you surround your people, like the mountains surround Jerusalem. What an image of protection and security! Thank you that today, as I venture out into the world, you surround me with your presence and your protection. And thank you that this Psalm is not just for me; you surround your people everywhere. We are wrapped in your love and secure in your Son and empowered by your Spirit. I don’t know all the enemies that threaten me today. But I DO know that in this world I will have trouble. My adversaries - both physical and spiritual - are real and strong. So help me trust in You today. Let me be like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved. Remind me that it’s not the strength of my trust that saves me; it’s WHO I trust in. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people.” Surround me with your power and comfort today, through the presence of your Holy Spirit.
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.
