Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? (Corrie Ten Boom)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Micah 6:1-8
·         Psalm 15
·         1 Corinthians 1:18-31
·         Matthew 5:1-12

Adoration

1 Corinthians 1:30-31
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose (verse 1)
Thou hidden source of calm repose, thou all sufficient love divine,
my help and refuge from my foes, secure I am if thou art mine;
and lo! From sin and grief and shame
I hide me, Jesus, in thy name.
(Charles Wesley)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.
 
 
 

Confession

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)

I confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, before the whole Company of Heaven, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed and omission, by my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault: especially I accuse myself of the following sins… For these, and all my other sins which I cannot now remember, or know not of, I am heartily sorry. Amen. (The Pastor’s Prayerbook)

As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
 
 
 

Thanksgiving

O Lord of Glory, I give you my thanks and praise for your promises. I cling to them and am humbled by them. I praise you that in Christ, you forgave me, redeemed me, and made me something new. Now that your Spirit lives inside me, I can increasingly become the person you created and redeemed to be. I pray that by your grace and Spirit, you would give me both greater desire for, as well as success in growing in the following: to be poor in spirit so that the kingdom of heaven would be mine; to properly mourn, so I can receive your comfort; to become meek, so I may inherit the earth; to be satisfied as I hunger and thirst for righteousness; to grow in mercy toward others, that I might see you; to be a peacemaker, that I will be called a child of God; and that I might stand firm when I am threatened with persecution for the sake of righteousness, for again, the kingdom of heaven is mine. Gracious God, help me to become what and who you say I already in in Christ. For it is in his name and for his sake I pray. Amen. (from Matthew 5:1-10)

Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life.
 
 


Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)

·         My personal mission field
Ø  Help me to identify those people who make up my personal mission field.
Ø  Enable me to begin sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know you.
Ø  Empower me to disciple those who are young in their faith.
Ø  Allow me to encourage those who are struggling in their faith.
Ø  Please give me perseverance in all areas of ministry.
·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 
 


Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)

·         My family
·         For missionaries throughout the world
·         For those seeking to faithfully minister to loved ones at home
·         For those who share the gospel in the inner city
·         For those who bear witness to Christ in places of power
·         Other needs
 
 
 

Thank you, my Lord, for choosing me to serve as one of your kingdom workers. I am your willing servant. Let your life flow through me according to your will. Amen. (Rueben Job)

If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely an awful thing; it is an infinitely foolish thing. (Phillips Brooks)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Isaiah 9:1-4
·         Psalm 27
·         1 Corinthians 1:10-18
·         Matthew 4:12-23

Adoration

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

O God, Our Help in Ages Past (verses 1-2)

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.
(Isaac Watts)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.
 
 
 
Confession

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17-19)

Merciful Redeemer, let your Holy Spirit guide and help me this day to worship you as you deserve. Let your Spirit keep my thoughts from wandering from you, fan the flames of my love for you, and arouse my desire to worship and obey you. I am drawn to love you even more by the kindness you have shown me: giving me life, ransoming my soul, and leading me to the eternal joys you have prepared for those who serve you. Loving you is the goal for which I was created; therefore, I can have no happiness apart from loving you. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (John Wesley)

As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).



Thanksgiving

All praise goes to you my God, for you are my light and my salvation. I thank you that I, therefore, should fear no one, for you alone are the stronghold of my life. When all the world seems to be against me, when evil times appear to be prevailing, my heart will not fear, for you will hide me in your shelter on such days of trouble. I will cast all my cares and anxieties upon you for you will lift me high upon a rock. My thanks to you will turn into joyful songs because you are my God. I praise you my loving Father for your goodness to me and the courage you provide me each and every day. In your name I pray, Amen. (from Psalm 27)

Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life.
 
 
 
Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)

·         Lord, help me to faithfully participate in the life of my congregation and for the sake of my community…
Ø  By my prayers
Ø  By my presence
Ø  By my gifts
Ø  By my service
Ø  By my witness
·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 
 
 
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)

·         My family
·         For those who serve in government, at the national, state, and local levels
·         For those who serve in law-enforcement
·         For those who serve in fire and rescue
·         For those who serve in our nation’s military
·         Other needs
 
 
 
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! (Psalm 107:8)

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me. (Robert Murray McCheyne)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Isaiah 49:1-7
·         Psalm 40:1-11
·         1 Corinthians 1:10-9
·         John 1:29-42

Adoration

Psalm 40:1-2
I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (verse 1)
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and
power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
(Martin Luther)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.
 

 
Confession

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ (John 1:29-30)

Our heavenly Father, for deafness to thy call; for slothfulness in service; for indifference to the needs of others; for unwillingness to bear our brother’s burden; for our faltering witness for thee; Lord have mercy upon us. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home)

As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).



Thanksgiving

Loving Shepherd of our souls, we give you thanks for your followers in every land and for your grace given them in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank you for enriching them in all speech and knowledge of you, even as many of them are under persecution for their life and witness for you. We praise you that they are not lacking in any of the gifts needed to serve you and we pray you will sustain them to the end, that they might be found guiltless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his most holy name we pray. Amen. (from 1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life.
 

 
Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)

·         Give me greater love for those who are hard to love.
·         Help me to be compassionate and kind to those in need, even when it’s inconvenient.
·         Pour out upon me your courage and boldness to love those who do not know you and to share with them your Gospel, in word and deed.
·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 

 
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)
​
·         My family
·         My family and friends who do not have a saving relationship with Christ
·         For those in my other spheres of influence who do not know Christ
·         For evangelists around our city, country, and world who risk much in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are lost
·         Other needs
 

 
The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey. (Joshua 24:24)

I am so busy now that if I did not spend two or three hours each day in prayer, I would not get through the day. (Martin Luther)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Isaiah 42:1-9
·         Psalm 29
·         Acts 10:34-43
·         Matthew 3:13-17

Adoration

Psalm 29:1-2

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (verse 1)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible his from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
(Walter Chalmers Smith)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.
 

 
Confession

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that [Jesus Christ] is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43)

Thou Righteous and Holy Sovereign, in whose hand is my life and whose are all my ways, keep me from fluttering about religion; fix me firm in it, for I am irresolute; my decisions are smoke and vapor, and I do not glorify thee, or behave according to thy will; Cut me not off before my thoughts grow to responses, and the budding of my soul into full flower, for thou art forbearing and good, patient and kind. Amen. (The Valley of Vision)

As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).


 
Thanksgiving

Gracious Father, we thank you for the baptism of the Lord Jesus. As we read your Word, we remember the ways in which he became like us to be our perfect covenant head. Just as he represented us in life, so too he represented us his death, resurrection, and ascension. We praise you for his active righteousness, even unto baptism. We know this pleased you for you declared that he was your beloved Son, with whom you were well pleased. Merciful God, thank you for saving us through the person and work of your beloved Son. Move us to live lives of grateful response and joyful obedience all the days of our lives. In Christ’s holy name we pray. Amen. (from Matthew 3:13-17)

Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life.
 
 

 
 
Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)

·         Give me greater knowledge, depth of insight, and understanding of God’s Word.
·         Remind me daily of who I am in Christ. Let me be defined by who God says I am, not the world around me.
·         Guide me into greater understanding and faithfulness of God’s call in my life.
·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 
 

 
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)
​
·         My family
·         My pastor(s), church staff, and missionaries
·         Those wrestling with anger, anxiety, or the overwhelming desire to please people at all costs
·         Other needs
 
 
 
 
O God, which by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only begotten son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through Christ our Lord. (Thomas Cranmer)