Day 156 | Saturday, 22 August 2020

Day 156 - Audio Version

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Day 156  |  Saturday, 22 August 2020

Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

 A Beginning:
“With no words God's glory is seen, in the blueness of the sky, in the breaking wave of the ocean. If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, God speaks in sunsets, whispers in roses, laughs in dolphin leaps. The heavens are telling the glory of God, and all creation sings for joy.”

 An Invocation:
“God of the vast universe and the tiniest creature, we marvel at your world. It lifts our spirits, it calms our anxious moments, it delights our eyes and senses.  We rejoice to call you Creator, and we lift our voices in praising you.  Meet us in our praise, we pray. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

 A Prayer of Confession:
 “Almighty God, you are holy. We confess that, in the light of your purity, we see our own impurities. We truly have fallen short of the expectations you have of us. Forgive us. In the name of Christ who died to reconcile us to you, please come to our aid. Lead us from the paths of disaster and direct us toward holiness. Teach us to pray as the saints have prayed. Teach us to love as the godly have loved. And teach us to serve without counting the cost as your true servants have done throughout time. Most of all, grant us the courage to dare to be Christians in reality rather than in pretense, however difficult it may be. In Christ's name. Amen”

 An Affirmation of Faith – Ruler of All
(Psalm 8:1; Daniel 4:34; Isaiah 33:22; Matthew 2:6; Revelation 1:5-6)
“Oh LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 

We believe your sovereignty is an everlasting sovereignty, and your kingdom endures from generation to generation. 

We believe the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our ruler, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

We believe that it was prophesied, "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel."

We believe that this sovereign ruler is Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, who is the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

 A Bidding Prayer:
“In all ways, commit your tasks to God's guidance ... (silence for reflection)

In every moment receive God's peace ... (silence)

In all seasons, trust that God is at work ... (silence)

In the midst of difficulties, let hope in God see you through ... (silence)

In times of despair, deepen your prayer ... (silence)

At all times, let your praise flow.”
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(Conclude with the Lord's Prayer.)

 A Blessing: “May Almighty God, who is our refuge and strength, go with us into all our endeavors, giving us guidance, comfort and the abundant life that Christ promised to all of his followers. Amen.”

 Quotation: “There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself.” - Howard Thurman