Prayer: Grant almighty God that as your redeemed people enter a new year that we would do so with a constant reminder of why you made us. On the sixth day of creation, you made man and brought him to yourself to worship you. That worship occurs on the following day, signifying that you made us to glorify you with our every thought, word, and action. Though the work of your beloved Son has purchased us, we often fall short of your glory and sin against you. We wrestle daily against the sin that so easily entangles us, but we are grateful that you have given us the eternal Spirit that perseveres us and conforms us into the image of the Savior who bled and died for us. Therefore, holy Father, grant to us an extra measure of your grace today as we gather as your people with your people to worship and adore you. May we not leave your presence the way we came, and may you speak to us through your Word read and proclaimed. Please grant us a hunger and thirst for your righteousness and forgive us our sins through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Gen. 2:1-3; Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:9; 1 Cor. 10:31; Matt. 5:6