Lenten Prayer: 1st Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021

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

Opening:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each
of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
(Matthew 4:10)

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Psalms: Psalm 77 (Lament) – Fellowship Worship

[Seth shares a song of lament birthed out of Psalm 77 and walking through the process of both his family’s failed adoption and his friend’s ongoing struggle in a successful adoption.]

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OT Reading: Proverbs 30:1-9 (ESV)

30 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.

The man declares, I am weary, O God;
I am weary, O God, and worn out.
2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
I have not the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know!

5 Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

7 Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.

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Thy Word – Amy Grant

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NT Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 (ESV)

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”

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Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship

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Prayer:

+ Our Father in heaven: lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil!

__ We renounce the devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God.
__ We renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.
__ We renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw us from the love of God.

__ We confess Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, to whom is given all power and authority in heaven and on earth.
__ We receive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as our sole authority for faith and practice.
__ We promise, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to keep your commandments, and walk in your ways all the days of our lives.

+ Our Father in heaven: strengthen us with your Holy Spirit, empower us for your service; and sustain us all the days of our lives.

+ For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever! Amen.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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