Monday Morning Prayer, 03 Aug 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening: (Luke 1:78-79)

God’s love and kindness will shine upon us
like the sun that rises in the sky.
On us who live in the dark shadow of death
this light will shine to guide us
into a life of peace.

Can’t you see that [God’s] kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
(Romans 2:4b)

Collect for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Reading (NLT)

Psalm 78:56-58

But they kept testing and rebelling against God Most High.
They did not obey his laws.
They turned back and were as faithless as their parents.
They were as undependable as a crooked bow.
They angered God by building shrines to other gods;
they made him jealous with their idols.

__________

Romans 2:1-6

God’s judgement is Fair

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done.

__________

Your Kindness – Leslie Phillips

__________

Reflection on God’s Kindness:

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?
Romans 2:4a

God not only judges our actions but also our motivations. He knows the truth about each one of us. However, it’s God’s goodness [lovingkindness], not the threat of judgment and hell, that leads us to repentance.

We pray for God’s mercy, not justice, because our sins deserve punishment.

• We pray for God’s kindness in regard to our past sins….
• We pray for God’s tolerance in regard to our present sins….
• We pray for God’s longsuffering in regard to our future sins….

How then should we respond?

In repentance – Not only by turning away from our old life of sin, but also by turning to our new life in Christ – a life of active service to God, out of simple gratitude for His lovingkindness shown to us in Christ Jesus.
__________

Prayer of Confession:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
_____

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
(1 Timothy 1:15)

__________

Those Things of Old | Psalm 78 | Charlie Sayles | Tony Fazio

__________

Closing -(Psalm 78:1-4)

O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past — stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.

__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.