Fourth Sunday after Easter

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FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
Sunday, May 19, 2019

Readings:
Lesson: Acts 11:2-18
Psalm: 98
Epistle: James 1:17-21
Gospel: John 16:5-15

ADORATION
Almighty God, I praise You because You are the Father of lights. In You there is no variation or change or shadow. In You there is no darkness at all because You are perfect Light, Word of truth, Spirit of holiness. I worship You because every good and every perfect gift comes from You. You do not send me anything harmful because You hate nothing You have made. Your nature is eternal goodness and love. You send Your Spirit to comfort me in all our trials. You implant Your Word in my heart in order to save and heal my soul. I adore You for coming to me, very much a work still in progress, to shower me with Your manifold blessings.

CONFESSION
Holy Spirit, You cleansed all animals in the vision of the Apostle Peter, and You fell upon the Gentiles before him, convincing him not to stand in their way. I confess that I often interfere, prevent, and obstruct those whom You have already cleansed and welcomed as Your own. God has granted to all people repentance, a chance to renew their hearts and minds, and eternal life, a life in ever-present relationship with You. I recognize that I don’t always appreciate how truly marvelous a gift this is—that with You there are no bounds, but rather You continually invite all people into Your presence, immersing them in Your love.

THANKSGIVING
Father, I thank You because You have done marvelous things. With Your right hand, which is Jesus Your only Son, and Your holy arm, that is, Your Holy Spirit, You have won for Yourself the victory. You are victorious over sin, which is my nature to rebel and choose separation from You, and over death, which is my desire to persist in self-centered illusion. You have made known this victory, and You have openly shown Your righteousness, Your sense of goodness, justice, and holiness, in the sight of the nations. I bless You, and I celebrate You by singing to You a new song, the song of awakened and renewed life in truth.

SUPPLICATION
Lord Jesus, even as You prepare to return to the Father, I ask that You do not leave me orphaned and comfortless. Send me Your Holy Spirit to comfort and console me, to guide me into all truth. Send Him to tell me those things, those deeper truths and newer revelations, which You have wanted to say to me, but which I was not yet ready to bear. I call on Your Holy Spirit to remove all sorrow from my heart, transmuting it into vessel of joy, inspiration and clarity. And with His help, I resolve to live a life certain that sin is reproved, righteousness is openly shown, and judgment has been pronounced against evil.

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