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 84
1 How lovely are your dwellings,
O Lord God of hosts!
2 My soul has a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3 Indeed, the sparrow has found her a house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young,
even your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are they who dwell in your house;
they will be always praising you.
5 Blessed is the one whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are your ways,
6 Who going through the valley of misery uses it for a well;
indeed, the early rains fill the pools with water.
7 They will go from strength to strength,
and the God of gods shall be seen by them in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
hearken, O God of Jacob.
9 Behold, O God, our defender,
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
10 For one day in your courts
is better than a thousand;
11 I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of ungodliness.
12 For the Lord God is a light and defense;
the Lord will give grace and honor, and no good thing shall he withhold from those who live a godly life.
13 O Lord God of hosts,
blessed is the one who puts his trust in you.
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 12:9–17 (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.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
Thanksgiving Prompt
What was the best vacation you have ever taken?
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!
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.