Sunday Morning Devotional: Week 33

Your Weekly Rest and Reset

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Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude. (Walter A. Mueller)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Acts 2:14-41
·         Psalm 116
·         1 Peter 1:17-33
·         Luke 24:13-35

Adoration

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord, because he has heard
    my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies (verse 1)
Christ, whose glory fills the skies, the true the only light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise, triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Daystar, in my heart appear.
(Charles Wesley)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.
 
Confession

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:36-38)

We have failed miserably, God of power and presence, to be good witnesses to the resurrected and exalted Christ. We have let almost anyone and anything get in our way, and used every possible excuse for our failure to spread your Gospel. Forgive us, we pray, and give us the encouragement and support of the Holy Spirit that alone can make us obedient servants of your victorious Word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. (Paul Laughlin)

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

O Perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, I give you praise and thanks for ransoming me from futility. You did not rescue me with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with your very own precious blood. Only you, the sinless One, could do this. Remind me daily, merciful Savior, that you did not have to do this, for there was nothing in me that deserved such unmerited favor. Fill my heart with gratitude and amazement at your love which is given to sinners and then enable me to love others with that same kind of love. For it is in the name of Christ I pray. Amen. (based on 1 Peter 1:17-21)

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)

·         Lord, help me to faithfully participate in the life of my congregation and for the sake of my community…

• By my prayers

• By my presence

• By my gifts

• By my service

• By my witness

·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)

·         My family
·         For those who serve in government, at the national, state, and local levels
·         For those who serve in law-enforcement
·         For those who serve in fire and rescue
·         For those who serve in our nation’s military
·         Other needs
 
God will be our compensation for every sacrifice we have made (F.B. Meyer)

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