Invitation — 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 77:1-2, 7-14
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted...
"Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds."
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
Bible Reading — 1 John 1:1-4
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for deep wonder and gratitude for Christ's sacrifice
- for our capacity to suffer with others
- for those who are unemployed or underemployed
Prayer — BC 5
Living God, I don't want a secondhand faith. I need something more to bring your reality home to me. Send your Spirit to testify in my heart that what I read in Scripture is from you; open my eyes to see that the words of Scripture vibrate with your love and truth, and address these words to my heart, Lord. Amen.
Blessing — John 20:29
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."