The Watchword for the Week:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. Hebrews 4:14
Glory be to you, Lord our God; you have chosen us in Jesus Christ, our Lord, before the founding of the world.
You have given us such love that we should be called the children of God.
You have redeemed us through Jesus Christ, your Incarnate Son.
For the sake of the great love with which you love us, make us alive in Christ, our Lord.
Psalm 90:12-17
So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.
Turn, O God! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Sovereign our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands—
O prosper the work of our hands!
Knowing that through Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven, we now lay those sins and their burdens upon the throne of Grace.
Forgive us loving God for the winding path upon which you have to travel to find us. While you remain faithful to us, our commitment to you often wavers. As we bend to the self-centered influences of our culture, we lose sight of your intended will for us. Too often, we live by fear rather than by faith because we underestimate your power to heal our brokenness. Correct the parts of us that have drifted from your influence and bring us back to you so that we might respond to your Grace by living it each day. Give us the courage to give you unhindered access to all of who we are.
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We praise God by saying: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. 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 conveyed 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.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be your Name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those
Who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
And the glory are yours
Now and forever. Amen.
Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, indeed by all the saints who have gone before us,
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles.
Let us run with perseverance that race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
We are filled with the grace, mercy, and peace of God.
We are filled with the love of Jesus Christ. We give thanks that we are blessed, and we commit ourselves to be a blessing to others. Amen.