Week Two
Friday Morning
Greeting and Doxology
PSALM 51
Creator God, reshape my heart. A changed heart you welcome.
Have mercy, tender God,
forget that I defied you.
Wash away my sin,
cleanse me from my guilt.
I know my evil well,
it stares me in the face,
evil done to you alone
before you very eyes.
How right your condemnation!
Your verdict clearly just.
You see me for what I am,
a sinner before my birth.
You love those centered in truth;
teach me your hidden wisdom.
Wash me with fresh water,
wash me bright as snow.
Fill me with happy songs,
let the bones you bruised now dance.
Shut your eyes to my sin,
make my guilt disappear.
Creator, reshape my heart,
God, steady my spirit.
do not cast me aside
stripped of your holy spirit.
Save me, bring back my joy,
support me, strengthen my will.
Then I will teach your way
and sinners will turn to you.
Help me, stop my tears,
and I will sing your goodness.
Lord, give me works
and I will shout your praise.
When I offer a holocaust,
the gift does not please you.
So I offer my shattered spirit;
a changed heart you welcome.
In your love make Zion lovely,
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then sacrifice will please you,
young bulls upon your altar.
READING: 1 Timothy 6:11b-14
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who give life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Jesus, you are our peace, reconciling us to God.
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and sets them free.
God raises from David’s house
a child with power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in ages past
to save us from enemy hands,
from the grip of all who hate us.
The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the sacred covenant,
the pledge to our ancestor Abraham,
to free us from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just all our days.
And you child, will be called
Prophet of the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway for the Lord
by teaching the people salvation
through forgiveness of their sin.
Out of God’s deepest mercy
a dawn will come from on high,
light for those shadowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the way to peace.
INTERCESSIONS
Our God is a God of compassion. Mindful of this gift of loving-kindness, we pray for all who long for God’s heart of mercy:
~Compassionate God, hear our prayer!
For all who suffer and struggle alone, that they may receive healing and support:
For all who experience injustice and persecution, that they may receive strength and courage:
For all who walk in darkness and despair, that they may receive light and hope:
For all who grieve and mourn, that they may receive comfort and peace:
For all who will die today, that they may receive eternal life:
PRAYER
God of healing and forgiveness, we come to you seeking your mercy. We want to be true followers of Jesus, but out intentions do not always find expression in our actions. Strengthen us to do good and enbolden us to proclaim the good news of salvation with confidence. We ask this in the name of Jesus, remembering his words: Ask and you shall receive. Amen.