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I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman, that my being may be a tilled field, the roots of grace spreading far and wide, until Thou alone art seen in me, Thy beauty golden like summer harvest, Thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty.
I have no master but Thee, no law but Thy will, no delight but Thyself, no wealth but that Thou givest, no good but that Thou blessest, no peace but that Thou bestowest. I am nothing but that Thou makest me. I have nothing but that I receive from Thee. I can be nothing but that grace adorns me. *
Quarry me deep, dear Lord, and then fill me to overflowing with living water.
- The Deeps, Puritan Prayer
Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 β 5 minutes)
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Scriptural Theme
You will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation.
Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)
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Praying Luke 1:67-80 (New International Version)
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us -- to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. *
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Response to the Scripture
Lord, purify our hearts that we may look with joy on your coming.
Draw near to Godβs throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart
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The Spirit and the Bride say *
βCome!β
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
You will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation.
Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song
(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)
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Ending Prayer
Father, we have become a reproach to the lost world around us. Our lack of holiness and failure to deal with sin has brought on us the contempt and ridicule of the world. How can you let your church be ridiculed? How can you stand the fact that your church lacks influence in this community? *
O God, have mercy on us! Revive your church that we may exercise a righteous influence in the world. Cause your presence and power to be displayed in this church so that believers and unbelievers will be in awe of you. Do this, O God, for the sake of your Son, who bought and established the church with His own blood!
For the sake of Jesus and His love for the church, grant revival to your people.
- Prayercloset ministries
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
( Adapted by Christ the Reconciler from Season 4: Lent Bridge Prayer β βThe Joy of Repentanceβ )