Wednesday Morning Prayer: 15 Jul 2020 – Psalm 125:2, Genesis 28:16-17, Ephesians 3:16-19 ~ deeply rooted in God’s love

Wednesday Morning Prayer, 15 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 125:2

Just as Jerusalem is protected
by mountains on every side,
the Lord protects his people
by holding them in his arms
now and forever.

Genesis 28:16-17

Jacob woke up suddenly and thought, “The Lord is in this place, and I didn’t even know it.” Then Jacob became frightened and said, “This is a fearsome place! It must be the house of God and the ladder to heaven.”

Ephesians 3:16-19

God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love. I pray that you and all of God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

Reflection:

The house with golden windows*

This is a story told of a young boy who lived with his parents in a cottage on a hillside, overlooking a wide valley. His greatest joy was to sit on the doorstep on summer evenings, and gaze across the valley to a house miles away on the opposite hillside, for, just as the sun was sinking in the west, the windows of that house would burst into flame, shining dazzlingly with golden light. How perfectly happy the people must be who live there, he thought! One day he packed sandwiches and set off to find the house with the golden windows, but it was farther off than he expected, and it was already towards sunset as he climbed steeply uphill. To his disappointment the house was a plain cottage after all, and the windows ordinary windows. The good people there offered him supper, and made up a bed in the kitchen, for it was too late now for him to return. That night, in his dream, he asked directions of a girl about his age. ‘The house with the golden windows? Yes, I’ve seen it.’ And she pointed. He woke to the early song of the birds. Drawing the curtain aside he looked out. There far across the valley, was his own house – and, wonder of wonders, its windows flashed with gold in the brightness of the morning sun.

And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. (T.S. Eliot)

Prayer for the Filling of God’s Power and Love – By Debbie McDaniel

Dear God,

We thank you that you indeed are powerful and loving, that out of your glorious riches you strengthen us through your Spirit in our inner being. We ask you for the fresh filling of your Holy Spirit, we ask for your power and love to fill us. We thank you that as believers we know that Christ dwells richly within our hearts through faith. We pray that you would strengthen our roots and establish our lives firmly in your love.

When the world shouts hate, help us to love. When the past won’t let go, help us to love. When the enemy taunts with lies and surrounds with darkness, help us to love. When a relationship feels broken or we’re betrayed or rejected, help us to love.

Help us to love, and to keep on loving. By the power of your Spirit.

Even when it seems impossible.

Even when it doesn’t make sense.

May our lives be filled with your goodness and power, today and every day, as we walk in your Spirit of love.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Power of Your Love -Darlene Zschech

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.

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12678-12690). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Tuesday Morning Prayer: 14 Jul 2020 – Psalm 125:1, Genesis 37:19, 1 Corinthians 11:1 ~ follow the example of Christ

Tuesday Morning Prayer, 14 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 125:1

Everyone who trusts the Lord
is like Mount Zion
that cannot be shaken
and will stand forever.

Genesis 37:19

They said to one another, “Look, here comes the hero of those dreams!”

1 Corinthians 11:1

You must follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Reflection:

St Francis of Assisi

He was born in the small town of Assisi in the year 1182. Even today, as you walk through the Umbrian countryside, the peace of St Francis seeps into your soul and you begin to believe that perfect joy is possible. When the light of the Spirit was dying out all over the world, this man, this little man, this one man re-kindled the flame. He was only 45 years old when he died, but he left behind a Dream to dream and a Journey to challenge every man. (Murray Bodo)*

There have been thousands of footsteps around Assisi, but through them all the footsteps of Francis seem freshly there, unaltered, calling out for us to walk in them, and learn. (Brenda Grace)

Prayers of St Francis of Assisi:

Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me
true faith,
certain hope,
and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command.
_____

May the power of your love, Lord Christ,
fiery and sweet as honey,
so absorb our hearts
as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven.
Grant that we may be ready
to die for love of your love,
as you died for love of our love.

Those Who Trust (Psalm 125) -The Worship Circle

Closing

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12636-12642). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Monday Morning Prayer: 13 Jul 2020 – Psalm 124:6-8, Isaiah 43:18-21, Revelation 12:7-12 ~ run devil run

Monday Morning Prayer, 13 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 124:6-8

Let’s praise the Lord!
He protected us from enemies
who were like wild animals,
and we escaped like birds
from a hunter’s torn net.

The Lord made heaven and earth,
and he is the one
who sends us help.

Isaiah 43:18-21

The Lord said:
Forget what happened long ago!
Don’t think about the past.
I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams in thirsty lands.
Every wild animal honors me,
even jackals and owls.
I provide water in deserts—
streams in thirsty lands
for my chosen people.
I made them my own nation,
so they would praise me.

Revelation 12:7-12

A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon and its angels. But the dragon lost the battle. It and its angels were forced out of their places in heaven and were thrown down to the earth. Yes, that old snake and his angels were thrown out of heaven! That snake, who fools everyone on earth, is known as the devil and Satan. Then I heard a voice from heaven shout,

“Our God has shown
his saving power,
and his kingdom has come!
God’s own Chosen One
has shown his authority.
Satan accused our people
in the presence of God
day and night.
Now he has been thrown out!

Our people defeated Satan
because of the blood
of the Lamb
and the message of God.
They were willing
to give up their lives.

The heavens should rejoice,
together with everyone
who lives there.
But pity the earth
and the sea,
because the devil
was thrown down
to the earth.
He knows his time is short,
and he is very angry.”

Reflection:

Coventry St. Michael’s Cathedral

Satan, in case you want me then you will find me in the Presence of God, and in that presence you cannot follow ’cos I’ll be resting in the Spirit of God, and there is no fellowship twixt darkness and light; and there is no compromise twixt wrong and right. I’m gonna keep my life bright!

Satan, you’re not forgotten, we’re out to get you, so tell me how does it feel? Have you seen Coventry – at the Cathedral? there is an angel, and you are under his heel. (From Star Wars of Darkness and Light by Bill Davidson)

Prayer:

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen..

Run Devil Run – Crowder

Closing

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12571-12588). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

The 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12 Jul 2020 – Psalm 65:11, Isaiah 55:10-11, Matt 13:1-9, Rom 8:18-23 ~ God’s powerful word

The 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

” The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and understand the message.
They produce as much as a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was planted.”

__________

You Crown The Year (Psalm 65:11) – Hillsong

__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-11 (CEV)

Rain and snow fall from the sky.
But they don’t return
without watering the earth
that produces seeds to plant
and grain to eat.
That’s how it is with my words.
They don’t return to me
without doing everything
I send them to do.”
__________

Isaiah 55 · Canyon Worship · Amanda Riffe

__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 13:1-9 (CEV)

A Story about a Farmer

That same day Jesus left the house and went out beside Lake Galilee, where he sat down to teach. Such large crowds gathered around him that he had to sit in a boat, while the people stood on the shore. Then he taught them many things by using stories. He said:

A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds. Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn’t very deep. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots. Some other seeds fell where thornbushes grew up and choked the plants. But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered. If you have ears, pay attention!
__________

The Sower’s Song – Andrew Peterson

__________

Pastoral Prayer:

+ O Lord, our God: Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

You save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice!
You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea.
You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place.
You silence the roaring waves and the noisy shouts of the nations.

+ O Lord,our God: we come to you because you are merciful and will forgive our sins.

Break down the strongholds within us, and deliver us from the lies and deceit of the evil one….
Sink deep, lasting roots in our fickle hearts, and enable us to withstand times of trouble….
Bushwhack our worried, anxious hearts, and free us to trust and love you, and those around us….
Refresh and renew our open hearts, and produce in us the good works of faith, hope, and love….

+ O Lord, our God: send forth your powerful Word into every tribe and nation; Usher in a season of repentance and revival across the earth, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
__________
A Reading from the Epistles: Rom 8:18-23 (CEV)

A Wonderful Future for God’s People

I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us. In fact, all creation is eagerly waiting for God to show who his children are. Meanwhile, creation is confused, but not because it wants to be confused. God made it this way in the hope that creation would be set free from decay and would share in the glorious freedom of his children. We know that all creation is still groaning and is in pain, like a woman about to give birth.

The Spirit makes us sure about what we will be in the future. But now we groan silently, while we wait for God to show that we are his children. This means that our bodies will also be set free.
__________

His Mercy Is More – Praise and Harmony Beautiful God

__________

Closing – Romans 8:17 (CEV)

God’s Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised.
We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.
__________

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

Saturday Morning Prayer: 11 Jul 2020 – Psalm 123:2-4, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 2:1-11 ~ never the same again

Saturday Morning Prayer, 11 Jul 2020

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

Opening:

Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 123:2-4

Servants look to their master,
but we will look to you,
until you have mercy on us.

Please have mercy, Lord!
We have been insulted
more than we can stand,
and we can’t take more abuse
from those proud,
conceited people.

To You, I Lift Up My Eyes (Psalm 123) –

Isaiah 7:14

But the Lord will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.

Matthew 2:1-11

The Wise Men

When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”

They told him, “He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote,

’Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too.”

The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star.

When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him.

Reflection:

Haddington

“This relief, with the Magi wearing kilts, is generally thought to be 12th century in date, but may be as early as 7th century –

see footnote here: http://www.greatenglishchurches.co.uk/html/kirknewton.html which refers to “an image of the Magi wearing ….’kilts’… found in the Greek Chapel of the Roman catacombs”.

Another reference http://www.theanglocatholic.com/tag/church-of-st-mary-the-virgin/ includes this: “a medieval carved panel of the Adoration of the Magi, now in the crypt of St. Nicholas East Church, Aberdeen.

This depicted the Kings literally running in haste to bring their gifts to the Christ-Child, and clad in toga-like plaid kilts” – sadly I’ve failed find any further reference to this in searches relating to St Nicholas East.” Photo by Barbara Carr, 2013.

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. (R. Huber)

T.S. Eliot in his ‘Journey of the Magi’ writes as if he were one of the pilgrims who came from so far away. To us their significance lies in the moment of their arrival, their kneeling, their gifts and adoration. For them, there is also a problem, for they return where they came from, but changed, no longer at ease as they were before.

Prayer:

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Prayer of Repentance

Dear Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for not abandoning us to our mistakes, but for reaching out instead to bring us home. Help convict me of sin and help me accept your mercy without shame. Thank you for the love you have poured out for me and all of your children. Help me live out of that love today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I Will Never Be – Hillsong

Closing

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 12433-12453). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

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