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
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
Psalm 119:153-176
153 O consider my adversity and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and deliver me;
give me life according to your word.
155 Salvation is far from the ungodly,
for they do not regard your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
give me life according to your judgments.
157 Many there are who trouble me and persecute me,
yet I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 It grieves me when I see the transgressors,
because they do not keep your law.
159 Consider, O Lord, how I love your commandments;
O give me life according to your loving-kindness.
160 Your word is true from everlasting;
all the judgments of your righteousness endure for evermore.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I am as glad of your word
as one who finds great spoils.
163 As for lies, I hate and abhor them,
but your law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise you,
because of your righteous judgments.
165 Great is the peace they have who love your law
and find in it no stumbling block.
166 Lord, I have looked for your saving health
and have done your commandments.
167 My soul has kept your testimonies,
and I have loved them exceedingly.
168 I have kept your commandments and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
169 Let my complaint come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding, according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you;
deliver me, according to your word.
171 My lips shall pour forth your praise,
when you have taught me your statutes.
172 Surely my tongue shall sing of your word,
for all your commandments are righteous.
173 Let your hand be strong to help me,
for I have chosen your commandments.
174 I have longed for your saving health, O Lord,
and in your law is my delight.
175 O let my soul live, and it shall praise you;
and let your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost;
O seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus, in teaching the disciples how to pray, prayed the follow prayer in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke. We learn as well as we join with the prayers of Jesus!
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Thanksgiving Prompt
What is something your family did for you recently that was a blessing?
Intercession Prompt
Take a few minutes and pray for your needs and the needs of those around you.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I confess that I do not see the spiritual battle we are in. As a result, I have not been alert. As a result, I have not stood firm against the lies of the enemy. Please forgive me. Renew me. Forgive US. Renew US.