Return to Bible Devotional > Scripture Prayer > Mini-Worship
Mini-Worship
January 30-February 4, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down.
Entering the presence of God
(M) Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving.
(W) When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
(All) He is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Confession:
Lord of virtues, you instructed us to be humble, gentle, patient and bear one another's burden in love. But we found that our own human nature is just opposite- proud, rude, impatient and anxious, selfish with no empathy. What a shame! I confess that I am wrong, Jesus. Please save me out of this kind of fallen nature, washing away them and refill your virtues in me. Thank you, In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.
Scripture Reading
Luke 4: 16-21 (NIV)
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Thoughts to share and to ponder
That was probably the most unexpected meeting in synagogue. But it really started with just rather normal routine. On a regular meeting day in an unnoticed town, congregants moved on with regular steps of the meeting. It was the moment when people were waiting upon the moving of God's Spirit amid them through the reminding of the word of God. No flags. No crowds. No clapping hands. No applauds.
Jesus stood up to read. He was given a book of Isaiah. He came to the place to read out. It says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
Afterwards, congregants looked up to him to say something insightful and refreshing. He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
It was the shortest sermon. It was the most stunning sermon. The Word of God became flesh to stand before congregants' eyes to proclaim the coming of good news and to answer our human's basic struggles: blindness, oppressions and imprisonment.
This Jesus still intends to be with us and to do same thing whenever we gather. Do we expect Jesus stand up to speak to us and to minister to us? Do we give him time and space to do so? Do we believe that he really knows what is going on with our existence? Do we confidently come to him to share our difficulties? There are plenty of blessings from God whenever we gather together. Return to God. Believe in Jesus. We will be able to enter the years of his favor toward us and to experience a unique and distinct transformation from this time on.
Prayer Suggestions:
Who is interested in us? Who notices our living conditions? Who has power to save us?
Dear Jesus Christ, thank you. You are living. You see our existence. You know our struggles and needs. You are willing to come to us. You are willing to give us favor. You are willing to include us into grace of salvation. May you speak to us and do your work in us so that we will experience a real new year. Amen, we pray in your name.
Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Request
Devotional
News
2024-01-3
Free Training Mental Health Initiative for church by Light University
2024-01-3
-info on 2024 Christian Ministry Learning and special grant Opportunities
2024-01-3
-EFC educational workshop
2024-01-3
-Rev.Dr. Samuel Tang Bookroom
2024-01-3
-Church Leadership Podcast
2024-01-3
-free courses at Our Daily Bread Christian University for edifying and serving