And now, Lord, as we come to your word, give us the illumination of your Holy Spirit. Open our minds to understand the scriptures, to soften our hearts to receive them with faith, and strengthen us to obey what you teach us. Show us Christ in your word, and by that word, conform us more and more to your likeness. We ask…

As we look at Mark chapter six, verses seven through 13, working our way through the gospel of Mark, these Lord’s Day mornings, we see at verse seven, and he called the 12 and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff,…

Above all, Lord, we thank you. Your word reveals to us your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He is the eternal word made flesh, the promised Messiah, the savior of sinners, and the Lord of glory. And now as we hear the account of our Lord returning to his hometown, where…

Prepare us now, Lord, to hear your word. Give us humble hearts and attentive minds and obedient wills. Remove distractions and hardness and unbelief and self-deception. Help us not to listen merely for the faults of others, but to receive your word personally and reverently. Convict us where we need correction. Comfort us where we’re weary. Strengthen us where we are weak.…

Now, Lord, show us Christ in your word. Convict us where we need conviction. Comfort us where we are weary. Correct us where we have wandered. Strengthen us where we are weak. Give us faith to believe your promises and grace to obey your commands. Grant faithfulness and clarity to the preaching of your word. May nothing be added to it, nothing…

And now, as your word is read and proclaimed, send your Holy Spirit to illumine our minds and to soften our hearts. Deliver us from distraction and dullness, from unbelief and pride. Give us ears to hear what you say and minds to understand it, hearts to receive it with faith, and wills ready to obey. And where your word reproves us,…

And now, Father, prepare us to receive your word. Silence the distractions of our minds. Give us humble and teachable hearts. Bless your servant as he opens the scriptures. Guard him from error and enable him to speak clearly, faithfully, and boldly. By your Holy Spirit, take the word preached and apply it particularly to each of us. Convict the careless, awaken…

And now, Father, as we turn to the ministry of your word, give us ears to hear. Guard us from distraction and hardness of heart. Give your servant faithfulness and clarity, humility and boldness in preaching. May Christ be exalted, sinners called to repentance, believers strengthened in faith, and your people equipped for lives of grateful obedience. Do among us far more…