(A Racial Justice Healing Retreat in Montgomery, Alabama)
The watchword for the week:
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19
Sometimes, we feel alone and weary.
Sometimes, we stumble in the chaos of life.
Sometimes, we find no comfort from the stress of life.
Sometimes, the table seems bare.
So come, all who are weary and need rest.
We seek a home where we can listen to God’s still, small voice.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Let us confess our Sins:
Loving God, we are a wandering people. We seek after riches, convenience, and easy answers, and in doing so, we find ourselves far removed from your loving embrace. So hear now the confessions of our hearts, and help us find our way home to you.
(Silent Prayer of Confession)
Without Christ, we were strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, we who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He is our peace.
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.
O Lord, hear us now as we pray together:
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.
I am a God nearby, says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? I am the Lord your God. I have called you out from the peoples, and you shall be holy to me.
We declare your praise, the One who called us out of darkness into your wonderful light. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to you.
Let us, in faith, keep our eyes fixed on God’s promises rather than the distractions of this world.
We confess that we are strangers and foreigners on the earth, people seeking our true home.
We desire a better place, that is, a heavenly one. Indeed, God has prepared a city for us.
Let us set aside those things that keep us from accepting God’s grace as the guiding force in our lives.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden;
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name through Christ the Lord. Amen.