Monday, October 29, 2007

A Prayer for Entering Morning Worship

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Just as you called the sun to rise today, you have called us out of our slumber. By your grace you caused us to arise with life and breath anew. Moreover you have awakened our souls that we might enjoy eternal life.

Now, having been brought into this assembly by your good hand, we look to our God—We look to the head and defender of his church, in order to offer you our praises and to set apart this day to the One who has created all things and redeemed us by his only Begotten Son.

We acknowledge you as our King and know that it is in your hand to do make great and to bring low. By your Spirit hearts are hardened or broken. And we ask that this time of worship would be showered with your mercies. May your word this day not fall on dull ears, but we pray that the door of our hearts would be opened wide that we might receive it like the good soil receives the seed. May our minds be sharp and our souls be like traps so that no good thing may escape us.

Above all may we enjoy you today. May we remember again our God who has forgiven our sins, secured for us an eternal inheritance, and made us to reign with him in this world.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Today's Invocation

Almighty God,

We come before you this morning because you are the King of kings and the Lord of Lords. You are the only wise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the one who lives and reigns. We acknowledge that you are unlike any other, for you are infinite in being and perfection. And you have all life, glory and goodness in and of yourself. For this reason we assemble here today. We desire renew our vows to you and set you apart as Lord in our hearts.

As we call upon your name, we ask that you would condescend to us. Would that you would come down from your lofty dwelling place above and fill this place with your Spirit. May we enjoy sweet communion with you and worship you this day and this hour. We pray that you might be pleased to lift our heads and anoint our hearts with your redeeming love and cause us to pay homage to our Jehovah God.

Confession of Sin

Almighty God,

As we approach you this morning we come to you as we are, with all of our sins.

We do not hide the fact that we have transgressed and offended your infinite holiness. Indeed we admit that we have been weak to battle temptation and slow to fulfill our duty before you. We have not paid honor to your name, nor taken it upon ourselves with sober recognition. We acknowledge the raging of our hearts and how we lust and yearn for ignoble things.

To our harm we pant after what is evil and we indulge in what can only be called folly. Each of us has strayed, and each of us has strayed in our own way. But we acknowledge also that we have sins that are common to us all. Moreover we have sinned corporately. Each of us has contributed to the wrath that is justly due to our house, community, and church.

But we pray that you might not look upon us in your displeasure. We cry out to you and we run to the cross of our dear Savior Jesus Christ. And on Calvary’s hilltop we cry out for mercy, begging that our sins not be held against us. Forgive us our many debts and turn our hearts toward you again. Let these misdeeds and our many others that we have committed time after time be crucified with Christ and put to death once and for all. Cause righteousness to come to life and let what is in accord with justice be fulfilled among us.

For this we ask in Jesus strong Name. Amen