Morning Prayer

+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Revelation 1:1-8 (ESV) – to be read aloud

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Reflection

PROLOGUE

“Blessed is the one…” (vs 1:3)

Revelation is intended to be a blessing to believers who are facing tough times. The condition of blessing is that God’s word is taken to heart and acted upon. John’s intention in writing Revelation was for it to be read aloud in the seven churches located in the Roman province of Asia (today part of Turkey and Greece). And, as prophecy, Revelation speaks today to the church at large.

“Jesus Christ the faithful witness…” (vs 1:5)

John reminds us that Jesus “loves us… has freed us… and made us a kingdom.” No matter what happens, no matter our circumstances… Christ’s love for us is permanent and abiding – nothing can separate us from it; Christ’s work on the cross is finished – we are forgiven and set free; and Christ’s mediation is complete – we are given full access to God – to participate in His Kingdom ministry here on earth.

“Behold he is coming…” (vs 1:7)

The second coming of Christ is the overarching theme of Revelation… which will be a public, visible event… accompanied by the judgement of God.

“…the Alpha and the Omega…” (vs 1:8)

“Behind the chaotic events of history, the believer recognizes that Jesus Christ… has in fact been exalted to God’s right hand where he sits as Lord, ruling over the rulers of the earth…. God is the absolute beginning and the end, and therefore Lord of all that happens in human history…. As the one who is to come, he will yet visit men to bring history to its divinely decreed consummation.” (Ladd, p. 25, 29)

Prayer

Almighty God, Ruler of all and Lord of history – I come into Your presence today at Your gracious invitation –

+ Forgive me my despair over the chaotic events swirling around me at home and abroad…

+ Cleanse me from my sin and set me free to live as Your faithful servant…

+ Thank You for Christ’s abiding love for me…

+ Thank You for the assurance that You are at work in me and around me, whether I recognize it or not…

+ Help me to live expectantly and hopefully in the light of Your immanent return…

+ Make me an minister of Your mercy and grace to all with whom I come in contact today.

I ask this through Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen
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Canticle

Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

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Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.