Month of Prayer - Week 2

Frail

Confessing Our Weakness

Opening Meditation

2 Corinthians 4:5-11, 16-18

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

 

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, we worship you,
Father, Son, and Spirit, unchanging and in control.
Not a hair falls from our heads without your consent.
We confess that where you are strong and mighty, we are weak and frail.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord.
Forgive us for the ways we live as though we were self-sustaining.
For expecting ourselves to have no weakness.
For desiring others to think us impressive instead of our Maker.
For thinking you’ve abandoned us when we can’t do things.
For running to other helpers and comforters instead of you in our need.
Teach us the humble joy of depending on you.
Open our hearts to the Helper given by Jesus Christ.
That your strength might be displayed in our weakness,
and your life might shine through our death,
In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, Amen.

 

Assurance Reading

Hebrews 4:14-16

Receive these words of comfort from God:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Response

Sing or Pray these words

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford
I need Thee! O I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh
I need Thee! O I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain,
Come quickly and abide or life is vain
I need Thee! O I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill
I need Thee! O I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee!
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee

 

Catechism

Confess what you believe while receiving instruction from the New City Catechism

Q37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
Answer: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word.

Q38: What is Prayer?
Answer: Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.

Q39: With what attitude should we pray?
Answer: With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers.

 

BIBLE READING

Lord Christ,
We believe in you.
Help our unbelief.
Amen. (based on Mark 9:24)

• Read along in your Bible Reading Plan
• Or read the sermon text for this upcoming Sunday
• Or meditate on and memorize this week’s readings

 

PRAYERs OF INTERCESSION

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and you are willing to give more than either we desire or deserve - pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our consciences are afraid, and giving to us that which our prayers dare not presume to ask; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer)

FAMILY

Pray that your household and church family would depend on the Lord more deeply in our troubles.

WHO’S YOUR ONE?

Pray that your unbelieving family members, neighbors, and coworkers would be confronted with their weakness and so be prepared to hear and receive the good news of Jesus Christ.

WORLD

Pray that missionaries would be called, raised up, and sent to the nations, and that a renewed sense of reverence, repentance, and rejoicing in Christ would fill the earth in our lifetime.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Conclude with the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us to pray (Matthew 6:9-13)