Month: January 2016

Morning Prayer: 16 January – Mark 2:13-17 ~ guess who’s coming to dinner

Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. (Luke 4:17)

Morning Reading:Mark 2:13-17(NLT)

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.

Jesus summons Matthew to leave the tax office Jan Sanders van Hemessen, 1536 Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Jesus summons Matthew to leave the tax office
Jan Sanders van Hemessen, 1536
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Morning Prayer

Christ became man to make me a child of God and he intercedes for me before God my Father. Thank you, Lord, for your loving mercy; open to me the treasures of your love.

+ You have enlightened me in baptism with water and fire – I consecrate my day to you.
+ Hide your word in my heart and teach me – may your word bear good fruit in me.
+ Fill me with your praise today – may I take your word with me wherever I may go.
+ Give me courage when things go wrong – strengthen me with faith in you, with hope in your promises and with love of your will.

Let the splendour of the Resurrection light up my heart and mind, Lord, scattering the shadow of death and bringing me to the radiance of eternity. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Always Enough” – Kari Jobe

Blessing

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. (Revelation 1:5b-6)

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

Morning Prayer: 15 January – Ephesians 4:29-32 ~ be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

May the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of my mind, so that I can see what hope his call holds for me.

Morning Reading: Ephesians 4:29-32 (NLT)

be-kind

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Morning Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you. Through your cross and resurrection you offer freedom and hope to those ready to receive them. Lord, show me your loving-kindness.

+ I am a child of the day: help me to live in the light of your presence.
+ Guide my thoughts, my words, my actions: so that what I do today may be pleasing to you.
+ Help me to avoid wrongdoing: show me your mercy and love.
+ Through your passion and death you have won life for me: give me the strength of your Holy Spirit.

Lord God, you hold out the light of your Word to those who do not know you. Strengthen in my heart the faith you have given me, so that no trials may quench the fire your Spirit has kindled within me. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“First Loved Me” – Covenant Worship

I can’t forget | I still remember | The place You found me | And I surrendered | When Your grace covered my shame and saw my need | You gave me hope | Hope and a future | My heart is Yours | Now and forever | I am loved only because You first loved me

And I love You | Jesus I love | Yes I love You | Because You first loved me

Your sacrifice | Is overwhelming | Suffered and died | Because You loved me | I’m alive | Only through Christ who first loved me

Nothing can tear me away from Your love Lord | Nothing can separate your heart from mine | Nothing can tear me away from Your love Lord | I am Yours, I am Yours

Blessing

(May) Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

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

Morning Prayer: 14 January – Mark 1:40-45 ~ Kingdom compassion

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.

jesus-and-leper

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!

Morning Prayer: 13 January – Mark 1:29-39 ~ Jesus healed many people

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Morning Reading: Mark 1:29-39 (NLT)

Peter-and-Mother-in-Law

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ: you were not ashamed to call me your brother.

+ Help me to live the new life of Easter – so that all may know the power of your love through me.
+ Every day is a proof of your love – as you bring me to this new day, make me new in mind and in heart.
+ Teach me to see you present in all mankind – help me to recognize you most in those who suffer.
+ May my life today be filled with your compassion – give me the spirit of forgiveness and a generous heart.

God my Savior, by grace through faith, you have made me a child of light. Hear my prayer that I may always walk in the light of your love and work for the truth as your witness before men. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Power of Your love”– Olso Gospel Choir

Blessing

Now to him who by his power within us is able to do far more than we ever dare to ask or imagine — to him be glory in the Church through Jesus Christ for ever and ever, amen! (Ephesians 3:20-21)

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

Morning Prayer: 12 January – Romans 13:11-13; Mark 1:21-28 ~ the night is almost gone

Tuesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.

Morning Reading: Romans 13:11-13 (NLT)

Time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

daybreak

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

Morning Reading: Mark 1:21-28 (NLT)

Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority — quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Jesus taught with authority

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, the high priest of our faith – our Savior and our God.

+ Almighty King, you have made us a royal priesthood – may we offer you a constant sacrifice of praise.
+ Help us to live according to your Word and Spirit – may we dwell in you, and you in us.
+ Come to us Everlasting Wisdom – dwell with us and work in our daily decision-making.
+ Help us to be considerate and kind – grant that we may bring joy, not pain, to those we meet.

Look with favor on our morning prayer, Lord, and in your saving love let your light penetrate the hidden places of our hearts. May no sordid desires darken our minds, renewed and enlightened as we are by your heavenly grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Awakening” – Hillsong

Blessing

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

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