GREETING (Adapted from Psalm 119:105 & 111)
God, your word is a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.
Your decrees are our heritage forever;
they are the joy of our hearts.
HYMN 475 “Come Down, O Love Divine”
PSALM Psalm 49
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 reference to Revelation 22:1-5)
Lord, our Lord, Sovereign of all heaven,
it is your kingdom that has captured our hearts.
Our most ardent desire and deepest longing,
is to walk in your company beside the river of life.
In our souls we can see its glistening waters.
Its melodious flowing sings sweetly of eternity.
Along its banks grow the ancient trees,
with healing leaves and fruits for every season.
Do not test us with trinkets and baubles,
coveted only by this world’s unhealthy residents.
Stifle every demon of jealousy or greed.
Put out the fires of indulgence and self-worship.
Our eyes are feasting on a heavenly prize.
Our souls rest in the divine company we adore.
Let your holiness that lights the kingdom,
shine truth on all our choices in this dark season.
We know that each decision well made here,
adds to the riches we bring to your new Jerusalem.
Every time we turn from earthy temptations,
and reach instead to take hold of your good hand,
we embrace an entire kingdom still coming,
and authenticate our river walking days forever.
Whenever our eyes stray from the prize,
rush to call us back with the river’s murmuring,
the cool breezes in the ancient branches,
and the tantalizing sound of your own holy voice.
Let us sip from those refreshing waters,
while we still linger in these parched barrens.
Let us have a small taste every so often,
and our hearts will stay faithful to you forever. 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 422 “Jesus, Thine All-Victorious Love”
CLOSING PRAYER
As we step away from our work,
and look toward a night’s rest, O God,
we continue in your company.
This and your steadfast love,
satisfy our needs and inspire dreams
of our serving you tomorrow. Amen.
Copyright 2020. Robert D. Ingram, 32746 Jourden Rd., Albany, Ohio 45710 (dr.bobingram@gmail.com). Used by permission.
