Monday Morning Prayer, 29 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

All-powerful God, your incarnate Word commands our obedience and offers us true life. Make our ears attentive to the voice of your Son and our hearts generous in answering his call,that we may take up the cross with trust in his promises. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.Amen.

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise;
God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
1 Co 1:27 (ESV)

Preparation:

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

Scripture:

Psalm 46:6-11 (ESV)

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Example:

Saint Telemachus (?–391)* – was an ascetic monk deeply rooted in prayer who followed God’s leading to travel to Rome. Following the crowds to an amphitheater he was horrified to see the spectacle of violence before him. Responding the only way he could, he rushed into the arena in an effort to stop the gladiators from fighting. This response cost him his life (killed by a gladiator, or stoned by the angry mob – stories differ). But it is known that Telemachus’s martyrdom spurred Emperor Honorius to issue an historic ban on gladiator fights. The last known gladiator fight in Rome was on 1 January AD 404.

On 1 January (Telemachus’ feast day) peacemakers are honored – those who are actively engaged, and those whose lives are so shaped by the Prince of Peace that they provoke change and promote peace, simply by being themselves and following God’s leading.

The peace of all peace be mine.

* [Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Location 69462). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.]

Prayer: (By Mark and Jill Herringshaw)

Father, You have given Jesus as our teacher and guide and the Holy Spirit as our helper. I ask that you would fill me with the Holy Spirit every day so that His fruit would manifest in my life, in my relationships, and in every context in which I find myself. I especially ask that I would become a person on whom you can rely to extend, promote, and encourage peace in every encounter I have today and every day. I take the seeds of peace You have given me through your Holy Spirit, and I will with great intention sow them everywhere I go. Amen

“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

Still-Be Still and Know – Don Moen

Closing

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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.