Invitation — Psalm 145:8
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 51:7-13
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Bible Reading — Isaiah 58:5-7
"Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
Quiet
Dwelling
Leisurely read again ... is there a word or idea that stirred within you? Linger over it and give it your attention ... is there something about the reading you'd like to ask God about? Pray your life to God ... take a moment to rest in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for spiritual renewal in this season of Lent
- for deep heart repentance
- for a genuine humility born of the gospel
Prayer — BC 14
Living God, I confess I have crossed your commandments of life; by my sin I've willingly separated myself from you, my true life. I'm damaged goods. My guilt hangs like dead weight in my heart; I can feel the sentence of death, in my body and soul. There is no health in me. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Blessing — see Titus 2:14
Redeem us from all wickedness, purify us and make us your very own, eager to do what is good.