This Week’s Scripture

·         Acts 17:22-31
·         Psalm 66:8-20   
·         1 Peter 3:13-22    
·         John 14:15-21

Adoration

Psalm 66:20
Blessed be God,
    because he has not rejected my prayer
    or removed his steadfast love from me!

Jesus! the Name High over All (verses 1&2)
Jesus! the name high over all, in hell or earth or sky;
angels and mortals prostrate fall, and devils fear and fly.
Jesus! The name to sinners dear, the name to sinners given;
it scatters all their guilty fear, it turns their hell to heaven.
(Charles Wesley)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.

Confession

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1 Peter 3:20)

Take away, O Lord, from our hearts all suspiciousness, indignation, anger, and contention, and whatever is calculated to wound charity, and to lessen brotherly love. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on those who seek thy mercy; give grace to the needy; make us so to live, that we may be found worthy to enjoy the fruition of thy grace, and that we may attain to eternal life. Amen. (Thomas a Kempis)

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 Promise-Making, Promise-Keeping God, I give you praise and thanks for the promise of your beloved Spirit. He is indeed the Helper, Advocate, and Counselor I need every hour of the day, every day of my life. I am grateful he will be with me forever, even as he is with me here and now to guide me into all truth. I thank you that he is not merely near me, but actually in me. Indeed, his presence in me animates my love for you and fills me with your presence. Thank you for not leaving me as an orphan in this world, but for giving me your very Spirit who enables me to keep your commandments, thus showing my love for you. Finally, thank you for loving me and manifesting yourself to me. I am underserving, but I am grateful. In my Savior’s name I pray. Amen. (based on John 14:15-21)

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 (Petition – prayers for yourself)

·         Help me to mature in my faith and to increasingly please God by my thoughts, words, and deeds.
·         Particular struggles in various relationships
·         My activities for this day
·         Other needs

Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)

·         My Family
·         My local church 
·         My denomination
·         Para-church ministries, particularly Christian education and discipleship  
·         Evangelistic ministries 
·         Other needs

Live near to God and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities.
(Robert Murray McCheyne)

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