Saturday, November 25, 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
Almighty God: I confess with the Psalmist that your law is perfect. The way of your commandments is the way of life; your statutes are full of wisdom. Yet I have violated your law; I have broken your commandments; I have dishonored your name. I ask your forgiveness; and I thank you for sending Jesus, who perfectly obeyed your law and died for my sin so that I might live to righteousness. By Your grace, fill me with Your Spirit, that I might walk in wholehearted obedience to you. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 2:1-16
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: Luke 7:36-8:3
Prayer of Adoration:
Lord Jesus, I adore you, for though my sin runs deep, your forgiveness runs deeper. Though my debt is great, your mercy is greater. In love and gratitude, I worship you.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 139
Prayer of Consecration
O God: I take comfort today in your deep knowledge of me. There’s no place I can go to escape your presence; no place I can run to avoid you. You see and know the deepest parts of my being. This kind of knowledge is scary; but it’s also freeing. It means there’s no hiding from you - and no NEED to hide. There’s no escaping you - and no NEED to escape. You know me fully, and yet you love me completely. No fault, no flaw, no hidden weakness can drive you away or remove your love from me. You’ve sent your Son to forgive all my sin, heal all my wounds, and cover all my weaknesses. So today: search me and know me. Try me and test me. See if there is any grievous way in me - and if there is, root it out. Lead me in the way everlasting, and remind me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
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.
