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 452 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
PSALM 4
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 (from Psalm 139:13-18 and Romans 8:31-39)
God of hurricane, earthquake and fiery comet,
God of minnow, butterfly and delicate orchid,
God of faithfulness, love and everlasting hope;
nothing is hidden from your attention or care,
no force can overcome, or equal, your power,
and no evil, God, can conquer your steady love.
You formed us within our mothers’ wombs,
you know our prayers before we speak them,
and you shape our future for blessing and good.
You are the judge, but sent your Son to save.
Christ can condemn us, but died for us instead.
And nothing can ever separate us from your love.
There is no sin which you cannot forgive us.
There is no evil from which you cannot rescue.
And no good you would keep from your children.
Therefore peace soothes us as we rest tonight.
Faith fills us as our souls sojourn in your love.
And hope is built on the tomorrow you promise.
Lord, you are God, and you call us your own.
We are your children, and you our holy Father.
This is true today, and it will be true for eternity. 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 529 "How Firm a Foundation"
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.
