Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, you have made us for yourself, so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Yet in my foolishness I have not trusted you, nor rested in my election as your beloved child. I confess my unbelief. Lord, grant me purity of heart and strength of purpose. Let no selfish passion hinder me from knowing your will, nor weakness from doing your will. In your light may I see light, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

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.

Lord, I adore you because your coming is at hand! “The Judge is standing at the door;” your return is imminent. I praise you that you ARE coming to make all things new. Let me await your return with patient perseverance and prayerful obedience.

God, as I begin this day, “I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” Meet with me now in these quiet moments, and give me the strength I need to live this day joyfully and courageously, for your glory. With the Psalmist, I pray: “Teach me to do your will… Let your good Spirit lead me.” Holy Spirit, I want to be filled up with your presence today; I want to be led by your gentle influence and marked by your good fruit. To you I lift up my soul; make me know the way I should go. Guide me, comfort me, lead me today. I am your servant, and you are my God. Be glorified in my life today; and as the day ends, prepare my heart to rise to you in joyful worship on the Lord’s Day.

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.

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.

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

God of Truth: I confess today the sin of Dishonesty. Rather than walking in the light, I have walked in darkness. My mind has conceived deceit, my lips have uttered falsehood, my heart has been cold toward the truth. In your mercy, forgive me. And remind me that because Jesus died for me, I need not be ashamed, but can freely admit all my faults and failures. My hope is not in my own goodness, but in your mercy to me through Jesus Christ. By Your Spirit, help me speak truth and walk in light today. Amen.

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

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.

God: I praise you for the Holy Scriptures, which are your very words, breathed out from your own mouth. Thank you that your word is reliable, unbreakable, and powerful, able to make me wise for salvation through faith in Christ. May I always treasure your word and never take it for granted.

O God: today I pray with the Psalmist: “Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked!” There are ungodly people in this world who plot evil and devise violence. But you are a God of righteousness, who loves what is good. In your mercy, bring the plans of the wicked to ruin; do not let their schemes succeed. Make me mindful of any ways I might be furthering evil in the world - especially in the words I speak. This Psalm mentions the lips and the tongue as the starting place of violence. So let not my tongue speak evil today; instead, may my words be full of praise, prayer, and honor. Let my mouth give thanks to your name throughout this day, and let my mind and heart be conscious of your presence.

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.

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.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Lord God, although I have been raised with Christ, I have failed to put to death the sin in my heart. I have become complacent and self-satisfied. I have willfully ignored the sin that lingers in my life. Of this I repent and ask for your mercy. Direct me, O Lord, in all my doings with your gracious favor, and further me with your continual help; that in all my works begun, continued, and ended in you, I may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

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.

God: I adore you for your peace, which surpasses all understanding. Why should I worry, why should I be anxious, when you promise to supply my every need in Christ? To you be glory forever.

O God: this psalm deals honestly with the fact that sometimes, life threatens to “swallow us up.” The images of a flood sweeping your people away... a torrent overwhelming them... the raging waters going over them... these are fitting images for troubles of various kinds. But our hope, in all of it, is that the Lord is on our side, and he will not give us up. Thank you, Father, for your faithfulness to your people. Thank you that you haven’t left me alone. Whatever I face today, I face with the sure promise that you are my help. You won’t let me be overcome. This psalm foreshadows what your word says elsewhere, that with every temptation you provide a way of escape. Like the bird escaping the fowler’s net, help me to flee temptation today and call out to you, knowing that you set me free. My help is in the name, character, and glory of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

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.

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.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Living God, I confess today my deep tendency to pretend and perform. Rather than resting in the righteousness of Christ, I try to earn your favor through what I do. And when I fail to live up to your standard, I hide and pretend rather than running to the cross of Christ. In this pattern of pride and unbelief, I am weary. And so I come to you, knowing that I do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with my weakness. I have one who was tempted in every way, yet without sin. So let me draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Strengthen me by your Spirit to live in the good of the gospel, today and always. Amen.

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

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.

Lord Jesus: I worship you for the unstoppable progress of your kingdom. Your kingdom has come, is coming, and will come, and nothing can stop its progress or hinder its purposes. Whoever trusts in you cannot be put to shame.

As I begin this day, I lift up my eyes to you, Lord. This psalm is a place of stability, rest, and calm; make it my base camp. Fill my imagination and capture my heart so deeply that I truly experience you as my helper. Even accounting for my own failures and missed opportunities, somehow in your sovereignty, nothing is lost, because you are the guard of my path. This is good news for my soul, because I can’t see my path, I can only take it one step at a time. The hours ahead may bring trouble of various kinds, or they may be full of peace. Either way, you are my keeper, O Lord. I will lift up my eyes to you, for you are the source of my help. I will certainly face temptation to sin; when I do, hold me steady, don’t let my foot be moved. I rejoice in you, O Lord, my keeper.

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.

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.

Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your law.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. For although you have forgiven my sin, I have not forgiven those who sin against me. Inwardly, I harbor bitterness, resentment, and anger. Lift my eyes to your cross, Lord Jesus, that in remembrance of your salvation I would be freed from all resentment. Moreover, purify my thoughts and protect me from biting, sarcastic words. Help me to love and forgive others as you have loved and forgiven me, to the glory of your name. Amen.

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

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.

Jesus: I adore you for the clarity and urgency of your call to discipleship. Thank you for warning me of the destructive effects of sin, and for driving me out of complacency, toward your open, loving arms.

Holy Spirit, I invite your work in me as I meditate on this psalm. Although it’s a song about Israel’s history, it invites me to consider my own history with you. You called your people to come out and be separate from the culture around them, but they didn’t obey; instead they assimilated. The culture’s idols became their idols. The culture demanded their allegiance, and they gave it, even to the point of sacrificing their own children to false gods. I know that I am capable of the same betrayal. The false gods of my culture are strong, and they demand my allegiance. So today as I go about my work, show me how I need to separate from the culture around me. Life with you is so much better than the narrow, suffocated life the world offers. Satisfy me with your love today, for Jesus’ sake.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Almighty God: I confess that I often honor you with my lips while my heart is far from you. I am content to appear righteous instead of truly being righteous. I repent of my sin and my self-love. Please search my heart, examine my motives, and forgive my faults. Awaken me to your glory, and send your Spirit to renew and change my heart. Help me to hear your voice today above the clamor of this world, and follow only you. Amen.

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

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.

God, I adore you for the invitation to draw near to you. Your nearness is my good, and my only hope for taming the passions that are at war within me. Thank you for your promise to give grace to the humble. I long for the wisdom, righteousness, and peace that come from above, through the gracious influence of your Holy Spirit.

Lord, what joy it is to think of the unity of your people! I thank you for this image of a healthy, celebratory community enjoying your favor and blessing. And I realize that I live in a world that tends to isolate and divide people from one another. I desire to dwell in unity with your people, but I don’t always know how. I long for meaningful connection, but my pride and fear keep me hidden. So today, draw me out of myself with this beautiful vision of a better life. Help me resist the pull toward individualism and detachment. Make me the kind of person who fights for unity and community among your people. And hasten the day when all divisions will cease, and your people will dwell together in the full and complete unity purchased for us by the Lord Jesus.

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.

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.

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-16, Romans 5:12-19, Psalm 27

Writers: Mike Kresnik, Bob Thune, Darby Whealy, Tyler Anderson

Narrators: Charlotte Bertrand, Gary Nebeker, Bob Thune, Darby Whealy, Kevin Huddleston

Music: Dan Phelps and William Ryan Fitch

Production: Mike Kresnik, Bethany Gilbert

Sources: The Worship Sourcebook; The Valley of Vision; The Book of Common Prayer; + original contributions by the authors.

OPENING PRAYER

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

CONFESSION OF SIN & PRAYER FOR GRACE

Almighty God: I cannot keep silent about my sin; when I do, my bones waste away and your hand is heavy upon me. So I will acknowledge my sin to you, and I will not cover my iniquity. Today, I acknowledge the sin of ENTITLEMENT. I live with a demanding spirit that grabs, clutches, and expects, rather than with a generous spirit that thanks you and blesses others. Forgive me, O Lord, by the mercy of Jesus, who did not regard equality with you as something to be grasped, but emptied himself that I might be filled. Fill me up today with the freedom and joy of grace, for Your name’s sake: Amen. 

OT READING: Lamentations 1:1-16

THE LORD’S PRAYER

NT READING: Romans 5:12-19

PRAYER OF ADORATION:

Jesus: I praise you for being better than Adam; better than Moses. Where sin brings death, your free gift brings life. Where sin brings condemnation, you bring justification. Thank you for your grace which abounds for many.

PSALM READING:  Psalm 27

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

O Lord: as David wrote this psalm, he was under military threat, with every reason to fear for his life. Yet he responded by preaching to himself that the Lord was his stronghold. He describes his enemies gathered around him, prepared for war; but instead of fearing, he sets his mind on the temple. He asks to see the face of the Lord. As I read this psalm, I invite this psalm likewise to read me, to act as my teacher and guide. O Lord, give me the grace to seek your face even when my heart is pounding and my thoughts are scattered. When I ground myself in your light and beauty, I find the strength to wait patiently for you. Strengthen my confidence that I’ll see your goodness in the land of the living. Teach me what it means to abide in you, so that union with you becomes my daily habit. Fashion my inner life according to the example of this psalm and help me practice honest, confident prayer when I’m afraid today.   

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.