The watchword for the week:
If we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
O Lord, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love,
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Holy Spirit,
that in your light we may see the light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace.
Psalm 133
1 How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life for evermore.
In honesty before God, let us acknowledge our need for grace by confessing our sins:
Gracious God, we need the light of your love to shine into the dark corners of our hearts. We humbly confess that, at times, we have walked in darkness and said and done things that have caused us to hide from you and brought pain to those around us. We know that it is your will for us to be in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but we confess a single-mindedness in our point of view and our lack of patience with others who think differently than we do. For our sins, we ask for your grace and that you might cleanse our hearts from all that separates us from each other and from you. May the new life of Easter be our guiding light.
Friends, hear the good news: God loves you and welcomes you out from the shadows; your sins are indeed forgiven. Give God the praise:
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.
As you taught your disciples to pray, so we pray together:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
O Lord our God, you have commanded the light to shine out of darkness,
You have brought us again into this time of prayer to illuminate our hearts and minds so that we might be brought closer to you and each other.
Accept now the gift of our hearts and our desire to walk in your light.
May our words and actions be ever more reflective of your love for us and the world.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look with favor upon you and give you peace.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.