Prayer: We praise you, our most holy God and creator of heaven and earth because you alone are sovereign over all you have made. In six days, you made the heavens and the earth and filled your creation with all we need to live and enjoy what you made. On the sixth day, you fashioned man from the dust of the ground, breathed into them the breath of life and gave them living souls. On this day, you made man unique, forming them after your image to worship and enjoy you forever. On the seventh day, you brought man to yourself to worship and adore you, setting an example for us to follow. Therefore, you commanded the crown jewel of your creation to come apart from their worldly cares and recreations to worship you. You said, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Therefore, Father, we come this day, the Lord’s Day, to honor and worship you throughout it. For you have redeemed us and called us by Name. We belong to you, our God, in a unique way due to the work of He, our Sabbath rest, the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you for giving us this one day in seven to gather with your people as a reminder of that glorious rest we long to see in the New Heavens and the New Earth. Forgive us, Father, for the many ways we denigrate everything this day teaches us. Forgive us for trampling underfoot what you command us. We know that you do not give commands to us to harm us but to help us in the pilgrimage we are on as we journey to that eternal rest. Please help us to see your glory today. Please help us love you and express that love by honoring what you have commanded. Please grant us zeal, delight, and joy on this day, and may you speak to us as you spoke to our first parents through the Word proclaimed. Please grant us the grace to worship you through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Mediation: Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Isa. 58:13-14
