Prayer: Grant us, almighty God, a willingness and zeal to gather with your redeemed people to worship you today. Grant, we plead with you to help us honor you with our hearts and lips as we sing praises to you for all you have done for us. You are the God who redeemed us from a life of sin and misery. You are the Father who hears our cries for help and welcomes the weak praises of your people. You are our God who has promised your Holy Spirit to help us to worship you as you have commanded. Therefore, our God, we beg you to come and help us know that you are pleased to meet with us on the Lord’s Day. We further ask that you would speak to us through your Word proclaimed. We seek your face, requesting that your Word, which is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, would plainly show forth your glory and move our hearts to love you more. We are listening, Father, so speak to us and use the foolishness of preaching to guide us as we walk the path of our pilgrimage to your glorious rest. We ask that you guide your servants as they open your Word and proclaim it to your people. We further ask that you keep us from the cares of this world and draw us to focus our attention on you, listening with fervent delight to what you say to us. We confess that we are often distracted by things that cause us to worry or fret. We know we are often turned aside for things that will not help our souls. Forgive us, Father. Please grant an abundance of your Spirit to us today, and may you be glorified, exalted, and praised in the assembly of your people. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Heb. 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:21
