I AM NOT MY OWN

我不是我自己

We invite you to spend some time in prayer. Take a moment to quiet yourself before God and share your thoughts and feelings with him. If you are with others, pray out loud together. If you are alone, know that you are not alone--the body of Christ is praying with you. 

Begin by praying the opening words of Psalm 27. Below that are listed some suggestions for free prayer. Finally, close with the Lord's Prayer and a closing prayer that is based on the Belgic Confession Art. 17.

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Free Prayer:

• for our leaders and decision makers

• for medical professionals

• for the vulnerable

• for uncertainty

• for the body of Christ

• for resurrection hope and joy

• for sharing the good news of the living Jesus

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from the evil one.

Good God, you didn’t turn your back on a world plunged up to its neck in physical and spiritual death but set out to rescue it. I worship you for your resolute goodness and wisdom that sought and found me; I thank you for the blessing that has come to me in Jesus, and pray that my life may be a blessing to others. Amen.

7 They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.’

8 “Say to them: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice 9 and does not bring it to the entrance to the tent of meeting to sacrifice it to the Lord must be cut off from the people of Israel.

10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.[c] 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”

15 “‘Anyone, whether native-born or foreigner, who eats anything found dead or torn by wild animals must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be ceremonially unclean till evening; then they will be clean. 16 But if they do not wash their clothes and bathe themselves, they will be held responsible.’”

The Power of  the Cross

十字架的力量