Each week for this season our devotions will be centered around the practice of PRAYER. Like the disciples we too have the opportunity to ask Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” We encourage you to read all prayers and Psalms out loud – let the words of Scripture fill your prayers!
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.
Psalm 34
1 The Lord, even the most mighty God, has spoken
and called the world, from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof.
2 Out of Zion, perfect in her beauty,
has God shone forth in glory.
3 Our God shall come and shall not keep silence;
there shall go before him a consuming fire, and a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him.
4 He shall call to the heavens above,
and to the earth beneath, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather my faithful together unto me,
those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness,
for God himself is Judge.
7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
I myself will testify against you, O Israel, for I am God, even your God.
8 I will not rebuke you because of your sacrifices, or for your burnt offerings,
because they are always before me.
9 I will take no bull calf out of your house,
nor he-goat out of your folds.
10 For all the beasts of the forest are mine,
and so are the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the air,
and the wild beasts of the field are in my sight.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the whole world is mine, and all that is therein.
13 Do you think that I will eat the flesh of bulls
and drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer unto God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and pay your vows unto the Most High,
15 And call upon me in the time of trouble;
so will I hear you, and you shall praise me.”
16 But to the ungodly God says:
“Why do you recite my laws, and take my covenant in your mouth,
17 Though you hate to be disciplined,
and have cast my words behind you?
18 When you saw a thief, you agreed with him,
and you have taken part with adulterers.
19 You have let your mouth speak wickedness,
and with your tongue you have set forth deceit.
20 You sat and spoke against your brother;
yes, and have slandered your own mother’s son.
21 These things you have done, and I held my tongue,
and you thought wickedly that I am such a one as yourself.
22 But I will reprove you,
and set before you the things that you have done.
23 O consider this, you who forget God,
lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you.
24 Whoever offers me a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me,
and to him who orders his way aright will I show the salvation of God.”
Scripture Memory
Memorizing Scripture is a great way to allow God’s word to transform you. Take these small sections of our passage and say them outloud. Then look away and test yourself; can you say it without looking? Good job!
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
Romans 12:9–16 (NRSV)
10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Thanksgiving Prompt
What is something that made you laugh out loud this last week?
Collect Prayer
These succinct prayers are designed as a way for the Church to pray together throughout time and space, in different ways throughout the seasons. Pray these prayers out loud with us!
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.