Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 9:18-38 (NLT)

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”

So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

Jesus Heals the Blind

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region.

When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.

But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

The Need for Workers

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

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Morning Reflection:

“Lord, send more workers.”

_ Matthew 9:37-38 –
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Once again Jesus confounds his onlookers by announcing the Good News about the Kingdom, and demonstrating its presence and power through healing every kind of disease and illness. And today, in particular, Jesus demonstrates his compassion and healing mercy in response to the faith of sick people – the rabbi’s daughter, the woman in the crowd, the blind men, and the demonized. To be clear, the faith expressed is in Jesus’ power and authority over all forms of sickness and disease.

But perhaps even more remarkable is Jesus’ appeal for more workers to do what he was doing – i.e. to harvest the crop that God had already planted and prepared. The ministry that Jesus wants to share with us is a ministry of compassion and faithfulness.

Questions for consideration:

• Do you know people who believe that Jesus is their Savior and Lord, and want to receive his healing mercy? Please explain.
• Do you know people who are living confused and helpless lives? Do you feel compassion for them, or something else? Please explain.
• When you think of God using you as a worker in his fields ripe for harvest, what is your response? Please explain.
• When you think of God using you as a worker in his fields ripe for harvest, where would you begin. Please explain.

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Morning Prayer –

Ministry to the Sick:

Savior of the world, by your Cross and precious blood you have redeemed us; Save us, and help us, we humbly pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, heal this your servant, sustain him/her with your presence, drive away all sickness of body, mind, and spirit, and give to him/her that victory of life and peace which will enable him/hr to serve you both now and for ever. Amen.

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“Rescue” – Lauren Daigle

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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