A.C.T.S. of Prayer

LAST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY: Reign of Christ Sunday, November 24, 2019 Readings: Lesson: Malachi 3:1–4:5 Psalm: 145 Epistle: Colossians 1:11-23 Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 ADORATION I exalt You, O God my King, and bless Your Name forever and ever. You are greatly to be praised, for You perform wondrous acts of goodness for all Your people. I ponder Your works and am filled with joy. You are gracious and full of compassion, loving to everyone. Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom in which You open Your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature. You lift me up whenever I fall, and You hold me by Your right hand. You are always near when I call upon You, even if I do not see or feel it. You fulfill my every desire by teaching me to ask only for those things which accord with Your will. My mouth shall speak Your praise, and my flesh will bless Your holy Name. CONFESSION God the Holy Spirit, You send messengers to prepare the way before the One who...

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, November 17, 2019 Readings: Lesson: Hosea 11:1-11 Psalm: 128 Epistle: Philippians 1:2-11 Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35 ADORATION Almighty God, blessed are all those who fear You, for respecting You is the beginning of all wisdom and instruction. Happy are all those who walk in Your ways, for You are a faithful guide and ever-present companion. When I aim for Your goodness, I eat the fruit of my own labor, the happiness and prosperity You prepare for me in Your grace. My devotion to You becomes evident in how I care for myself. My good deeds bring others to Your table of love. You bless me, Lord, from within my heart, and You cause my mind to perceive Your prosperity and goodness all the days of my life. You show me the fruits of my good deeds being passed forward by others, and so You bring peace to my soul. CONFESSION Loving Father, when Israel was a child, You loved him, and out of Egypt You called Your son. I ...

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, November 10, 2019 Readings: Lesson: Daniel 4:19-37 Psalm: 115 Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-20 Gospel: John 4:46-54 ADORATION Almighty God, I give glory to Your Name because of Your love and faithfulness. You are unlike the false idols which I am guilty of making. You alone are enduring truth—not silver or gold, not what I build with my hands, not even what I experience with my own five senses. None of that can help and defend me in the end if I do not have Your blessing, if You are not mindful of me. Therefore I put my trust in You, I worship You as the Maker of heaven and earth, and I bless Your holy Name. You increase me more and more in Your knowledge, You cultivate the virtues I try to produce from within, and You entrust me with a heart that must never be dead to Your praise nor silent with Your blessings. CONFESSION Father, through Your prophet Daniel, You humbled King Nebuchadnezzar so that he would recognize Y...

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Sunday, November 3, 2019 Readings: Lesson: Ezekiel 34:1-16 Psalm: 113 Epistle: Ephesians 5:15-21 Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 ADORATION Almighty God, I praise You, and I bless Your holy and sacred Name from sunrise to sunset. As Your glory is above the heavens, so the Universe proclaims Your ever-present “I AM” power, singing with the very vitality of existence and awareness. As You are high above all nations, so all creatures praise, love and serve You—whether they know it or not. Who is like You, enthroned on high and yet watching over heaven and earth? Exalted Father, You lift the weak out of the dust, and the poor from the ashes. Suffering Son, You humbled Yourself into our weakness and poverty. Fluid Spirit, Your power enlivens and the barren household. Eternal Trinity, be praised and blessed for evermore. CONFESSION Righteous Father, through Your prophet You called out the false shepherds of Your flock. I confess my fail...