GREETING (adapted from Richard of Chichester, England)
Day by day, dear Lord, of you three things we pray:
to see you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
follow you more nearly, day by day.
HYMN 500 “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”
PSALM 31
PRAYER
(Consider some of the following concerns for prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and petition. Follow with your personal prayer list.)
My church People who haven't heard of Christ
My denomination People seeking Christ
The larger universal church around the world People who've rejected Christ
Evangelism Enemies of the Church
Missions Those who are sick
Worship Those who are shut-in
Christian education Those who are imprisoned
Christian social action Those who are hungry
Stewardship Those who are broken
Cooperation between denominations Those who are naked
Bishops, superintendents, pastors, Those who are homeless
elders and deacons Husbands and wives
Missionaries Children and parents
Officers and leaders of churches Siblings and other relatives
Ministry of the laity Friends and neighbors
Teachers in the Church Strangers and enemies
Musicians in the Church _____________________________
Newly baptized persons _____________________________
Newly confirmed persons (new members) _____________________________
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 Psalm 42:1, Mark 12:28-31, John 14:15-17 and 25-27, Revelation 5:6-14 and 21:2)
Father of Every Child, Gentleness and Love, Home and Hearth,
I am drawn to you like a bride to her husband.
In your arms I feel complete. Anywhere else, is only emptiness.
With you, my heart races; but away, I ache from missing you.
You make me feel wonderful things that I have never felt before.
You are my breath, my pearl of great value, center of my being.
I love you with all of my heart.
Beloved and Only Son of God, Captain and Friend, Flesh and Blood,
I am drawn to you like a soldier to his comrade.
In battling the world, I feel very safe when you are with me.
I watched amazed as you laid down your life to save mine,
and I join the uproar of cheers as you rise up in living victory.
You are my peace, my ally, the commander of my destiny.
I love you with all of my soul.
Holy Breath in My Heart, Whisper and Whirlwind, Counselor and Guide,
I am drawn to you like an apprentice to a master.
I am weak. You are strong. I am foolish. You are wise.
Your sighs translate and speak all my confusion and pain.
Your comfort steadies me in the storms and dark nights.
You are my rock, my balm, the beacon lighting my way.
I love you with all of my mind.
Trinity of Amazing Grace, Source and Strength, Vision and Challenge,
I am drawn to you, like a fawn to its mother's milk.
With you at my side, I can climb the highest mountain,
leap the wildest stream and outrace the mightiest wind.
You make me invincible, and able to move mountains.
You are my shelter, my warmth, my peaceable kingdom.
I love you with all my strength.
Great and Holy God, I love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength;
Though still a sinner, I am irresistibly drawn to you.
I have not fallen in love, I have risen in love with you.
In you and with you, I become all you ever intended.
And, Love of Every Heart, if I cannot love you perfectly,
at least let my love for you daily grow greater and fuller,
until I love you perfectly in your kingdom. 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 172 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
CLOSING PRAYER (with references to Matthew 22:36-40 and Romans 12:1-2)
Thank you, Father, for this glorious new morning,
fresh with new opportunities to join you in your work.
Keep us constant in loving you throughout the day.
Make us bold in loving every friend, stranger and foe.
Awaken us to the needs and troubles of neighbors.
and let us be like salt and light to them in every need.
We pray you spare us from cross-carrying today,
but if you will it, let us do it with joy and confidence.
As Jesus gave his life for us and our loved ones,
so we today offer our lives to you as living sacrifices,
which is the true and spiritual worship you desire.
Today is the time in which we declare our love to you. Amen.
Copyright 2020. Robert D. Ingram, 32746 Jourden Rd., Albany, Ohio 45710 (dr.bobingram@gmail.com). Used by permission.
