Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalm 147:5
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.
To you, we give thanks for your mercy endures forever.
We offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon your holy name.
Let us bless the Lord forever and ever.
Psalm 147:1-11, 20C
1 Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
20C Praise the Lord.
Confession of Sin
If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In full assurance of faith, let us confess our sins to our gracious God.
Loving God, we approach your holy presence, willing to admit that we need your gracious forgiveness. Forgive us for the times when our faith has been found lacking, and we have defiled both our body and spirit. Forgive us for the times when we have neglected our duty or when we have been ungrateful for your gifts to us. Forgive us for the times when apathy has kept us from taking up your challenge to reach out in love to those in need. Forgive us when we have been indifferent to your supreme sacrifice for us as well as the resurrection power that can make all things new. Deliver us from the delusion that our understanding is greater than yours. Hear our prayer, O Lord.
The good news in Christ is that when we face ourselves and God with the awareness of our needs, we are given the grace to grow and the courage to continue the journey.
Friends, believe the good news of God’s grace.
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.
Take time to read today’s Daily Texts. God speaks to us through the inspiration of scripture, so approach the opportunity to read the texts as a privilege, eagerly anticipating what might be spoken to you today. How might today’s Word make a part of your life new again? If you do not have a copy of the Daily Texts, you will find today’s texts posted in the margin on your page’s right side (at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile phone). When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to say:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your 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 have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom, and power, and the glory, forever and ever. AMEN.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever things are true,
Whatever things are honorable,
Whatever things are just,
Whatever things are pure,
Whatever things are lovely,
Whatever things are of good report,
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.
God’s power is abundant, and God’s wisdom is beyond measure.
Let us live our lives trusting in God’s abundance.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of God with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior,
Be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
