Invocation

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)

We are in awe of your creation Lord,

and we thank you so very much for the blessing of knowing you through it.

Truly, when we look at a powerful storm,

the calm of a blue sky,

a sunrise or sunset,

or the majesty of the stars and planets at night,

we are reminded of your power,

your grace,

your love,

your creativity,

your eternity

and your beauty.

You are worthy of our praise

Confession

We confess to you that we have not been mindful enough of You in our lives.

Your Law, our Lord, is perfect, reviving our souls

and yet we neglect to read it,

seeking to find revival in other, human sources.

Your statues are trustworthy, making the wise simple,

and yet we have sought worldly wisdom

thinking that your eternal word wasn’t sufficient for our needs.

Your precepts are right, giving joy to the heart,

and yet we have tried to find joy in other things.

Your commands are radiant, giving light to the eyes,

and yet we have lived in the dark, seeking dark things, doing dark deeds,

living as a child of the dark when we are truly children of light.

The fear of You is pure, enduring forever,

and yet we have set idols in our hearts.

Your Word is sure, altogether righteous, more presious than gold, sweeter than honey,

gives warnings to your servants, keeps them, gives them great reward,

yet we have neglected the study and reading of your word.

Forgive us.

Forgive the faults we have which are on display for all to see,

and those which are hidden deep in our hearts.

Forgives us and keep us from willful sins.

Forgive us from any sin that rules over us

and break the bonds of that which keeps us dependant on anything or anyone but you.

Through the shed blood of Jesus,

and the forgiveness that comes because of His perfect sacrifice,

let us be blameless, as though we had never done wrong.

Gives us a new innocence,

a rebirth.

Grant us pardon from our great transgressions.

Intercession

Lord, for all those around us who have such tiring jobs and who are stretched so far

– the civil authorities, the servants of the township, the police, firefighters, doctors and nurses,

and all others who are given such high levels of responsibility –

give them strength.

And for all of us here today Lord

– May the words of our mouths

and the meditations of our hearts

be pleasing in your sight,

O Lord,

our Rock,

and our Redeemer.

We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen

(Based on Psalm 19)