Sunday Meditation, January 17

The Grace of Prayer in the Fellowship of the Church

Scripture for Meditation: James 5:13-15

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Prayer of Blessing

Responsive Reading: Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Prayer of Corporate Confession

Silence for Personal Confession

Assurance of Pardon: John 17:22, 23

The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

Response: Thanks be to God.

Ministry of the Word

Transition to Singing

Feel free to leave at this time or stay for the indoor singing.

Hymn of Security: He Will Hold Me Fast

Hymn of Mercy: Your Mercy Flows

Your mercy flows upon us like a river,
Your mercy stands unshakeable and true.
Most holy God, of all good things the Giver,
We turn and lift our fervent prayer to You.

Refrain:
Hear our cry, (echo) O Lord, (echo)
Be merciful (echo)  once more; (echo)
Let your love (echo) Your anger stem, (echo)
Remember mercy, O Lord again.
(Repeat all)

Wes Sutton
© 1987 Sovereign Lifestyle Music
Used by permission. CCLI #2783020

Psalm of Trust: Psalm 130

I wait, my soul waits for the Lord.
My hope is in His word.
More than the watchman waits for dawn,
My soul waits for the Lord.  

Out of the depths I cry to You;
In darkest places I will call.
Incline Your ear to me anew,
And hear my cry for mercy, Lord.

Were You to count my sinful ways,
How could I come before Your throne?
Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze;
I stand redeemed by grace alone.

Refrain:
I will wait for You! I will wait for You!
On Your word, I will rely;
I will wait for You,
Surely wait for You
Till my soul is satisfied.

So put your hope in God alone;
Take courage in His power to save,
Completely and forever won
By Christ emerging from the grave.

Now He has come to make a way,
And God Himself has paid the price,
That all who trust in Him today
Find healing in His sacrifice! 

Last Refrain:
I will wait for You! I will wait for You!
On Your word, I will rely;
I will wait for You, surely wait for You
Till my soul is satisfied.
I will wait for You! I will wait for You
Through the storm and through the night!
I will wait for You, surely wait for You;
For Your love is my delight.

I Will Wait for You © 2018 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Jordan Kauflin Music (BMI) / Matt Merker Music (BMI) / Getty Music Songs, LLC (adm. by MusicServices.org) / Lord, from the Depths I Call to You © 2003 Sing Psalms, Free Church of Scotland Psalmody & Praise Committee. Used by permission. CCLI #2783020

*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.