Month of Prayer - Week 4
Faith
Beholding the Christ
Opening Meditation
Hebrews 1:1-4
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Opening Prayer
Christ Jesus, you are true and eternal God,
and true and holy man - all in one.
You retain the properties of both natures in the unity of your person.
We acknowledge you, and we worship you.
We come to you and fall at your feet.
We look for salvation from your hand alone.
You are the only Savior.
We desire to be your exclusive property.
We are by your grace, and will remain that way forever.
Let the whole world of your elect, with us,
know, acknowledge, and adore you, and thus finally be saved by you.
This is the sum total of our faith and hope.
This is the height of all our wishes. Amen. (Herman Witsius)
Assurance Reading
Colossians 1:15-20
Receive these words of comfort from God:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Response
Sing or Pray these words
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended
took on flesh to ransom us
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of man
In his living, in His suffering
never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
of the law; in Him we stand
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when he comes
Catechism
Confess what you believe while receiving instruction from the New City Catechism
Q19: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
Answer: Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer.
Q20: Who is the Redeemer?
Answer: The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself.
Q24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
Answer: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life.
BIBLE READING
Lord God, we wish to see Jesus.
By your Spirit’s power, give us eyes to see his glory.
Through Christ we pray. Amen. (based on John 12:21)
• 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, of your tender love toward man, you sent our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon himself our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility - mercifully grant that we both follow the example of his patience, and be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
FAMILY
Pray that your household and church family would behold Christ’s love for us more clearly and fervently.
WHO’S YOUR ONE?
Pray that your unbelieving family members, neighbors, and coworkers would be confronted with the true claims of Christ and so be prepared to hear and receive His good news.
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)