Invitation — Hebrews 4:14, 16
"Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess... Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 108:1-6
My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
Bible Reading — John 17:20-24
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
Quiet
Dwelling
Remind yourself you are in God's presence and read again ... notice how God might be speaking to you through his Word — dwell on a word or phrase that jumps out at you ... let your heart respond to God in prayer ... take refreshment in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for the eyes to see God's work in the world around us
- for God's care and comfort in natural disasters and a creation that groans
- for veterinarians and zookeepers
Prayer — BC 27
Lord Jesus, in your ascension you brought me into fellowship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the eternal community of divine persons. May your church be one as you are one, God in three persons, and may that unity catch the attention of a broken world. Amen.
Blessing — Revelation 5:13
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"