GREETING (Psalm 139:23-24)
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
HYMN 273 “Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands”
PSALM 103
PRAYER
(Think back to the beginning of this day. Start there, and mentally walk through the day again, while you thank God for the day's blessings and God's continuous work of love. Confess and repent of those times when you forgot, ignored or rebelled against God. Continue to pray with your personal prayer list.)
SCRIPTURE LESSON
(Choose a passage of scripture to read. It can be a chapter, a paragraph, or a particular story. Daily lectionaries are available online or in print that assign a lesson each day from the gospels, epistles, Old Testament and psalms on a three-year cycle. Or you can create a plan to read a book of the Bible, or the whole Bible. Then follow the steps below.)
Read a passage of scripture. Read it out loud, very slowly and carefully as if for the first time. Continue reading until a word, phrase or sentence captures your attention. Stop there to repeat the word, phrase or sentence over and over, listening to it deeply in your heart.
Reflect on why the passage got your attention. Consider the area of your life to which this may apply. Is God saying something to you in this passage? Take time to listen carefully to whatever God may be saying to you.
Respond to God in prayer (or with journaling, music, art or whatever you choose) about what you have heard. Ask questions. Open yourself to God’s will for you.
Rest in God’s company. Be still and quiet. Move beyond thinking, practicing interior silence. Let yourself be open to God’s presence. Savor this moment with God.
PRAYER (with references to Matthew 25:31-46 and Mark 9:41)
God, who designs the vast universe and our place in it,
who inspires and directs even the smallest act of kindness;
put us in the position of being able to carry out your kind works.
Make us ready with the cup of cold water for strangers,
ready to work up a sweat to help a neighbor, near or far away,
and ready to even lay down our lives for the love of your children.
Show us how to give ourselves to family and friends.
Reveal to us things that can be done to sweeten their lives,
and then, God, give us the ability to lay these gifts before them.
Let us take the extra steps that tip the scales of kindness,
beyond any expectation, and beyond any need or request;
and toward that which is received purely as blessing and love.
When our attention wavers, or we weary of doing good;
let us lean on the purpose and strength of your own Spirit,
to continue our training in imitating your kindness toward all. Amen.
SILENCE AND COMMITMENT
(Pause to reflect and listen. Work to push out of your mind any distracting or irrelevant thoughts. Concentrate your thoughts on the words of the hymns and choruses you have sung, the prayers you have spoken and the scriptures you have read. Be aware of what you are feeling. Listen for anything that God might be saying to you in this time you have spent together. As God responds to your prayer-time, seek guidance for how you can best respond to God’s will. Then commit to serving God’s will for you.)
HYMN 427 "Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life"
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, as we lift our hands from this day’s work
put out the fires of any left-over anger you find in us,
let forgiveness wash away the wrongs done to us today.
Wrap our families in your strong, lasting protection,
and draw them deeper and deeper into your heart.
Close their eyes and hearts to every temptation that nears,
and give them peace, knowing your saving grace.
As we sleep, give our spirits peace, our bodies rest,
and our minds the dreams of those you truly love.
Help us listen in the quiet for the whispers of your Spirit,
who teaches us to walk in the ways of blessing.
And when we awake, God, in this world or the next,
let us do a better job worshiping you with our service,
in the new day you provide citizens of your kingdom. Amen.
Copyright 2020. Robert D. Ingram, 32746 Jourden Rd., Albany, Ohio 45710 (dr.bobingram@gmail.com). Used by permission.
