Sunday Morning Devotional: Week 32

Your Weekly Rest and Reset

Prayer is not learned in the classroom but in the closet. (E.M. Bounds)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Acts 2:14-32
·         Psalm 16
·         1 Peter 1:3-9
·         John 20:19-31

Adoration

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine (verse 1)
All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,
didst yield the glory that of right was thine,
that in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(F. Bland Tucker)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.

Confession

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips. (Psalm 16:4)

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen. (PCUSA Book of Common Worship)

As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Thanksgiving

Blessed Redeemer, according to your great mercy, you have caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of your Son from the dead. You have given to us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. That very salvation is being guarded by your power. We rejoice in this good news, even when we find ourselves in the midst of trials and sorrows. We know that such times of testing refine our faith and draw us ever closer to you. Heavenly Father, we love Christ, believe in him, and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. We praise you for that which you have promised us, the salvation of our souls. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen. (based on 1 Peter 1:3-9)

Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life.
 
Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)

·         Give me greater love for those who are hard to love.
·         Help me to be compassionate and kind to those in need, even when it’s inconvenient.
·         Pour out upon me your courage and boldness to love those who do not know you and to share with them your Gospel, in word and deed.
·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)

·         My family
·         My family and friends who do not have a saving relationship with Christ
·         For those in my other spheres of influence who do not know Christ
·         For evangelists around our city, country, and world who risk much in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are lost
·         Other needs
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By his first work God gave me to myself; and by the next he gave himself to me. And when he gave himself, he gave me back myself that I had lost. (Bernard of Clairvaux)

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