Invitation — 2 Samuel 22:29-30
"You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 143:1-2, 7, 11-12
Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you...
Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit...
For your name's sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Bible Reading — Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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 call to follow Christ into our neighborhoods and workplaces
- for the well-being of our communities
- for those who struggle to maintain commitments
Prayer — BC 22
Father in heaven, make my life a Christ-home, fully furnished with his grace, beauty, and strength. Today I guard in my heart the gospel declaration that I am approved and accepted in Christ. In faith, I claim for myself the righteousness of Jesus and apply all his power and riches, the fullness of God in me. Fill me with your love. Amen.
Blessing — see 2 Thessalonians 1:11
May God make you worthy of his calling, and by his power may he bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.