Month: February 2016

Morning Prayer: 19 February – Matthew 5:20-26 ~ the high bar of righteousness

Friday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Ezekiel 18:31 (NLT)

Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Morning Reading: Matthew 5:20-26 (NLT)

“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Sin 1

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.

Morning Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ: you died on the cross that I might live. Lord, hear the longings of my heart.

+ In your living, you were the example of an abundant life – teach me to joyfully follow your lead.
+ In your dying, you brought me life – take away my sinful inclinations that I may continually choose life.
+ You call on me to feed the hungry – show me how to deny myself today to help others in their need.
+ End the rebellion within my heart – give me a spirit of generosity and willingness to share what I have.

Lord God, I accept from your hands this day of Lent; may I make it yours by deeds of love. Bend my will, Lord, so that by this Lenten observance I may be fully prepared to enter into the joy of Easter; renew me in body, mind and spirit. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Closer” – Bethel Live

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 18 February – Matthew 7:7-12 ~ pray, again and again

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT)

ask and keep on asking
ask and keep on asking

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, the radiant light of the world. You guide me along a well-lit path so that I no longer live in darkness. Welcome me now into your presence, and may your word and Spirit light my way.

+ Christ Jesus, you are my Savior and Lord; may I grow today in your likeness.
+ Take all of me – body, soul and spirit; may your truth shine forth in my actions.
+ Take away my selfish, self-serving inclinations; may your love burn brightly within me.
+ Teach me to work for the good of all, whether the time is right or not.
+ Make your Church a welcome light for the whole human family.
+ May I always treasure your friendship and come to know its depth.
+ Forgive my sins against your wisdom and love; may I follow your lead today.

In your bounty, Lord, give me the Spirit who alone can teach me to think and do what is right, so that I, who without you cannot exist, may live in loving obedience to your will. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Ask Seek Knock” – Eric & Monique

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 17 February – Mark 1:15; Mark 6:7-13 ~ time to go

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Mark 1:15 (NLT)

“The time promised by God has come at last!” Jesus announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Morning Reading: Mark 6:7-13 (NLT)

Travel light

And Jesus called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.

Morning Prayer

Blessed be Jesus Christ my Savior. In him I become a new creation, the old order passes and all things are renewed. Renew me in your Spirit, that I may enter your Kingdom and rejoice in you for ever.

+ Fill me to overflowing that I may work to fill the world with your Spirit.
+ Conform my will to yours that I may work for justice, charity and peace.
+ Grant that I may put aside my apathy.
+ Help me to recognize with joy the power you have given me.
+ Set me free from all evil.
+ Show me the things that really matter in the confusion around me.

Renew me, Lord, in your Spirit. Look with favor on my Lenten journey and while I deny my self-interest to follow you, renew my spirit with the grace that prompts me to good works. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“The Kingdom of God” – Taizé

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 16 February – Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15 ~ give us the food we need

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT)

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Morning Reading: Matthew 6:7-15 (NLT)

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

panis angelicus

“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Morning Prayer

Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our bread from heaven. Lord, strengthen us.

+ We have sinned, Lord, against you have we sinned; take away our guilt by your saving grace.
+ Give us a share in the bread of the life; fill us with the blessings of your paschal sacrifice.
+ Implant your word of life in our hearts; yield a harvest in us through faith and obedience.
+ Make us eager to fulfill your plan for the world; send us out with the great message of peace.

Look with favor on your family, Lord, during this Lenten season of self-restraint; may our hearts burn with love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Panis Angelicus” – Elina Garanča

Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; Dat panis cœlicus figuris terminum: O res mirabilis! Manducat Dominum pauper, pauper, servus et humilis.

May the Bread of Angels Become bread for mankind; The Bread of Heaven puts All foreshadowings to an end; Oh, thing miraculous! This body of God will nourish the poor, the servile, and the humble.

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 15 February – Isaiah 58:6-7; Matthew 25:31-46 ~ to the least among you

Monday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Isaiah 58:6-7 (NLT)

“This is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”

Morning Reading: Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT)

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

sheep and goats

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Morning Prayer

Blessed be Jesus, my Savior. Through his life, death and resurrection he has opened up for me the way of eternal life. Direct me, Lord, in this path of life.

+ May I seek you always with all my heart.
+ May I ever grow in your likeness.
+ May I bring joy this day to those around me who are in need.
+ Draw me nearer to you through the help I give others.
+ Help me to do what is right and good.
+ Forgive me for the times I have hurt other people.
+ Forgive me for the times I have failed to preserve the unity of your family.

Lord God, have mercy on me; and direct me in this path of life. Turn my heart back to you, my Savior; form me by your Word and Spirit, so that I may truly profit by my Lenten journey. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“To The Least Of These” – Robert Rice
[This song was written by Robert Rice during a Missions Trip to Haiti.]

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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