Seeking God's Face is a daily, contemplative devotional — rooted in the ancient traditions of the Divine Office and "lectio divina" — guiding you to renewed communion with God through sacred Scripture and universal prayer.

September 30, 2023

— Ordinary Time • Week 18 • Day 7

Invitation Psalm 139:14

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 86:1-7

Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.

Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.

When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

Bible Reading 1 Samuel 15:10-13, 22-23

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: "I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord's instructions."...

But Samuel replied:

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

as much as in obeying the Lord?

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is like the sin of divination,

and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,

he has rejected you as king."

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 flourishing of Christ's church everywhere
  • for worship that glorifies God and gathers, unites, and blesses his people
  • for effective preaching of the Word

Prayer HC 43

God of grace, in Christ you set me free for a life of gratitude. So, in bedrooms and boardrooms, with friends and neighbors, in learning and listening, playing and working, giving and forgiving, as I lie down and rise up, in my coming and going, be pleased with my offering of a simple life of everyday obedience. In Christ's name, amen.

Blessing Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."