Friday, May 16, 2025

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

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.

Pause to confess specifically any sins the Holy Spirit may be convicting you about.

Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 13:14-25 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: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 Prayer of Adoration

Lord Jesus, I worship you for your resurrection. In your victory, the powers of death have been defeated. And now nothing is outside of your rule; everything has been put under your feet. As I await the consummation of your promises, I ground all of my hope, my security, and my joy on the sure foundation of your resurrection.

Psalm Reading: Psalm 93 Prayer of Consecration

Almighty God, this Psalm celebrates your kingly rule over everything. You are robed in majesty and strength; your throne is established from of old. It brings me great peace today to know that you reign and rule over everything - because this means you reign and rule over my life, and over the events and responsibilities that concern me today. All of creation has been established by your powerful word, and all things hold together in you. So as I go about my day today, help me act and live as a citizen of your kingdom. Help me trust your reign in situations and circumstances I can’t control; and help me extend your kingly rule in all areas which are under my dominion. I cannot do everything, because I am not you; but I can do something, because you are with me. By your Spirit, set me free from worry, stress, and fear; and help me be faithful to your kingdom purposes in my little corner of the world. Amen.

Take time now specifically to intercede for yourself, your neighbors, your church, your city, and the world, bringing your needs and the needs of others before the Lord.

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.