Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above myself, not looking to only my own interests but to the interests of the others. Let how I relate to others be characterized by the mindset of Christ Jesus. -Philippians 2:3–5 (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! -Psalm 67:1-5 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Lord, I have heard of your fame, and I stand in awe of Your deeds. O Lord, revive Your works in our day; In our time make them known; In wrath remember mercy. -Habakkuk 3:2 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. -Mark 10:35-38 (Think deeply on the life and words of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. -Jeremiah 29:12 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Dear Savior, we are Your disciples, and You are teaching us the art of living; but we are very dull and very slow, and beside, there is such a bias in our corrupt nature, and there are such examples in the world, and the influence of an ungodly generation tells even on those that know You. O, dear Savior, do not be impatient with us, but still teach us at Your feet, till at last we shall have learned some of the sublime lessons of self-sacrifice, of meekness, humility, fervor, boldness, and love which Your life is fit to teach us. O Lord, we beseech You to mold us in Your own image. Let us live in You and live like You. Let us gaze on Your glory till we are transformed by the sight and become Christlike among the sons of men. -Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) |