Invitation — Psalm 67:4
"May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 141:1-4, 8-10
I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me;
hear me when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat of their delicacies...
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord;
in you I take refuge — do not give me over to death.
Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
Bible Reading — Daniel 3:13-18
Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
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 deep gratitude for the cross of Jesus Christ
- for those living in poverty and suffering injustice
- for a just society
Prayer — WLC 104
Faithful God, I can only hope, and so I pray, for a faith rooted and resting in you, completely satisfied in your grace. While I'm not saved from suffering in this world, do forge in me a steady confidence in you. May I look only to your salvation, believing you alone, trusting you in all things, yielding my whole life to you in all obedience. In Christ alone, amen.
Blessing — Psalm 67:1-2
"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us — so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations."