The watchword for the week: There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6
Unto you, O God, we lift our praise.
Your ways are marvelous, and we seek to walk in your path.
This day gives us the chance to honor you,
To share with others your never-ending love.
Psalm 146
Praise be to God!
Praise God, O my soul!
I will praise God as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Do not put your trust in nobles, in mortals,
in whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans shall perish.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Sovereign their God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
God sets the prisoners free;
God opens the eyes of those who cannot see.
God lifts up those who are bowed down;
God loves those who are righteous.
God watches over the strangers;
and upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked God brings to ruin.
The Sovereign will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise be to God!
With humility before the Lord, we confess our sin:
Gracious God, we know you to be the creator of the heavens and the earth, and we marvel at the wonder of your handiwork. We are grateful that you have loved us to the extent that you would give us your Son, Jesus Christ, to provide us with new life. And we are thankful for the comforting presence of your Holy Spirit. We now confess our shortcomings as we have often failed to share Jesus’ promise of grace, we have been unable to see the needs of those less fortunate than us, and we confess that much of our work has been focused on self-gratification rather than building up your kingdom for Jesus’ sake. Forgive us, majestic Lord, and grant to us your peace.
My friends, know that your sins are forgiven. Go therefore and walk in the light of the Lord, and give praise:
With joyful hearts, we give praise to God by saying: 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. 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). 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? When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
O Lord, hear us now as we pray together.
Creator of all humanity, we call you Holy and seek to worship you all the days of our lives. We pray that the ways of your heavenly kingdom may be made real in the world surrounding us. May the bread needed today be made available for all who are hungry, and may you forgive us, just as we can forgive those who have sinned against us. In the time of moral testing, may we listen first for your voice calling to us. This world, and all that is in it, always has been and always will be yours. Help us to give ourselves to you and your kingdom. Help us to find who we truly are as we walk in your light. Amen.
And now, most merciful God, we ask you to continue extending your grace and favor towards us;
Let the sun of your gospel never go down out of our hearts;
Let your truth abide and be established among us forever.
Help our unbelief, increase our faith, and give us the courage to reach out to the needs of others.
In faith, clothe us with Christ, that he may live in us, and that your name may be glorified in the sight of all the world.
Keep us mindful of your steadfast love and the ways we can make that love come alive in the hearts of others
May Christ, and him crucified,
Remain our confession of faith. Amen.