Invitation — 2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is ... patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 28:1-6
To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.
Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back on them what they deserve.
Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done,
he will tear them down
and never build them up again.
Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
Bible Reading — Mark 8:34-38
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again, perhaps out loud ... how has God's Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind ... pray to God what it is that has moved you today ... turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him.
Free Prayer
- for rich gratitude and wonder at Christ's sacrifice
- to follow the way of the cross and increase our capacity to suffer with others
- for those who struggle with marital difficulties
Prayer — HC 88
God of new creations, I search to find real life, but my attempts are ashes because I've failed to understand the gospel mystery, that I need to die to come alive. Teach me to repent, and provide me with the faith and courage to give myself away and so let your new life fill me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessing — Numbers 6:24-26
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."