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 144:1-4, 9-10
Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow...
I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David.
Bible Reading — Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for our national and local communities
- for the continent of Europe
- for those who advocate for justice and peace
Prayer — HC 55
Our only God and Father, I'm tempted to make church a consumer thing, to think of it as a vendor of spiritual goods and religious services that keep me happy and satisfied. Remind me that I share in Jesus through this body, the church, a covenant community where I have obligations to others. Make me ready to serve others for the joy of Jesus. 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.