Evening prayer · June 30
Evening Prayer for June 30
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
God’s Word
God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Today’s takeaway: Keep your prayers humble and simple, like the tax collector who asked only for mercy.
When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
They … called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O … Baal, hear us.
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other
Lord, teach us to pray
Before you pray
Were your prayers today honest and humble?
Prayer
Holy God, You are in heaven and I am on earth, so let my words be few. The prophets of Baal shouted all day, and no one answered. The Pharisee prayed about himself, but the tax collector stood far off and asked You for mercy, and he went home justified. That is my prayer tonight. Lord, teach me to pray. 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.