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 642 “As Man and Woman We Were Made”
PSALM 128
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
God who took a bone from Adam’s side
to make an equal partner for him in Eve;
God who made a great nation and a blessing,
from Abraham’s and Sarah’s marriage;
God who secured both the past and the future
with the marriage of Ruth and Boaz;
God who provided salvation for all the world,
with Mary’s and Joseph’s faithfulness;
God who modeled for husband and wife,
the love between Christ and the Church;
we praise you for the blessings of marriage,
and the love found in deep commitment.
We praise you for the patience and tenacity,
as well as for the passion and romance.
We praise you for understanding and wisdom,
as well as for tenderness and friendship.
We praise you for bandages and healing,
as well as for promises made and kept.
We praise you for forgiveness and humility,
as well as for the beauty and strength.
We praise you for sturdiness in tough times,
as well as for moments forever cherished;
We praise you for faithfulness when tempted,
as well as determination and purpose.
We praise you for two who become one,
with each other, and with you, our God.
Your goodness and love composes your plan,
and our faithfulness to it brings blessing.
Thank you for the lasting love you create,
and the holiness marriage grows from it. 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 645 “O Perfect 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.
