Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

Morning Reading: Mark 1:40-45 (NLT)

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, and thank you for all that you will bring us as the day unfolds. Lord, accept and bless our work.

+ You offered yourself to the Father on our behalf – join our offering with yours.
+ You are gentle and humble of heart – teach us to receive others as you did.
+ As this day begins, may your light rise in our hearts – may it shine forth in compassion to the world.
+ Show your mercy to those who are sick – may each new day increase their trust in you.

Almighty, ever-living God, we pray to you at morning, noon and evening: dispel from our hearts the darkness of sin, and bring us to the true light, Christ Jesus your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

“Kingdom Come” – Covenant Worship

Lord we pray Your kingdom come | Lord we pray Your will be done | Every eye behold the One | Seated high upon His throne

Every tongue confess that You are Lord | When Your kingdom comes

Everything changes everything changes | When Your kingdom comes | Let Your kingdom come | The earth is shaking chains are breaking | As Your kingdom comes let Your kingdom come

Lord we pray the lame would leap | Lord we pray the blind would see | Every sickness must be healed | As Your glory is revealed | And everyone will know that You are Lord | Let Your kingdom come

Mountains have to move | Every chain is loosed | God we declare | Your kingdom is here | Everyone will see | Fall down at Your feet | God we declare | Your kingdom is here

Blessing

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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