Evening prayer · December 9
Evening Prayer for December 9
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
God’s Word
The spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Today’s takeaway: Your spirit came from God, and for believers, being with Christ is far better.
The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
There is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
The first man Adam was made a living soul
The spirit of man that goeth upward
Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: … We are confident, … and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
With Christ; which is far better
I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Before you pray
What comfort does it give you that believers who have died are with Christ?
Prayer
Father, the spirit returns to You who gave it. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Tonight I think of those I love who are already with You, and I do not grieve like those who have no hope. Jesus has prepared a place for us. I rest in that. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Pray as Jesus taught us
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.
Amen.
Blessing
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.