The kingdom rule of our God and of his Christ cannot be thwarted or ignored. The next moment on God’s divine calendar is the return of Christ, and the establishment and consummation of his eternal Kingdom. During the time of trial ahead, God will grant authority to two witnesses who will prophesy and represent the Lord with acts and signs of power before those who refuse to hear God’s word. They will finish their testimony, be killed by the beast, and afterwards be raised from the dead. God’s terrifying acts of judgment will be vindicated, and voices will declare his victory, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” The zeal of the Lord will accomplish his prophetic promise to rule this world forever.
During this Season after Pentecost, let us confess that though the machinations of the infernal regions and blinded human structures pretend to rule, the Scriptures declare that in God’s own perfect timing his kingdom rule will triumph. This is both our confidence and certainty. Christ is Lord of all!
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
~ Revelation 11.15
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal Father, we confess with joy our hope that the risen Jesus of Nazareth, now exalted as Lord of all, will soon return and finish what he started. Help us live in joyful expectation of him today. Amen.
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen.
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 34.9-14 OT: Prov. 9.1-6 Gospel: John 6.51-58 NT: Eph. 5.15-20 (Click here for all readings)
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
--Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Affirmation from the Psalms
From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. [26] The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever! [27] All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. [28] For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. [29] All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. [30] Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; [31] they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.
~ Psalm 22.25-31
Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
The kingdom of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Dragon, the Woman, and Her Seed
Revelation 12Our Corporate Disciplines
Prayer and Fasting: Tuesday, August 21, 2018