December 23, 2020

OPENING PRAYER

O Lord, God of my salvation, every day I call upon you, in the morning my prayer comes before you. Incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my strength fails. Renew me each morning with your steadfast love, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.

CONFESSION OF SIN & PRAYER FOR GRACE

Glorious God: I come to you now in need of grace. Throughout this week, a war has been raging in my heart. I find myself looking to people, situations, and experiences to give me security, identity, and hope. I have sought from others what can only be found in you. Forgive me, and awaken me to the only glory that really satisfies: the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

OT READING:  Numbers 24:2-9, 17a

THE LORD’S PRAYER

NT READING:  Hebrews 10

PRAYER OF ADORATION:

Christ Jesus: thank you for opening a new and living way for us to the presence of God. Thank you that because of your work, we can draw near in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean and our bodies washed with pure water. I worship you as the Mediator of the new covenant, who by a single sacrifice has taken away our sin. 

PSALM READING: Psalm 89:1-18

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

Father: during this Advent season, I remember and rejoice in your covenant. You have bound yourself to your people with an oath; you have promised us your faithfulness. I look back to the covenant you made with David: you promised to establish his offspring forever and build up his throne to all generations. The New Testament writers speak of Jesus as the fulfillment of this promise - the one who comes to inherit David’s legacy and build up his throne eternally. So let me bow the knee today to King Jesus, and let me also rejoice in how he fulfills all the hopes and longings of your people throughout history. When I read about David, let me see Jesus. When I read about Solomon, let me see Jesus. When I read about all the flaws and failures of the kings in Israel’s history, let me see Jesus as the truer and better king. And let me remember that all your covenant promises find their “Yes” in him. May I rest in his goodness and rejoice in his power, today and always.

BENEDICTION

And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and always, until the day of Christ's return.