Category: Life in America

Morning Prayer: 06 February – 2 Peter 3:13-15 ~ live peacefully

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Morning Reading: 2 Peter 3:13-15 (NLT)

Peter Martyr Enjoins Silence. Fra Angelico. c.1441 Fresco inside a monk's cell, Museo di San Marco, Florence, Italy.
Peter Martyr Enjoins Silence.
Fra Angelico. c.1441
Fresco inside a monk’s cell, Museo di San Marco, Florence, Italy.

We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.

Morning Prayer

God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power and love, and self-control. Gracious God, send us your Spirit.

+ Father, send us your Spirit – that Christ may be born again today in the hearts of all mankind.
+ Father, send us your Spirit – that we may receive every spiritual blessing and thus reflect his presence.
+ Father, send us your Spirit – that we may open the eyes of the blind, proclaim the Word of light, and reap together the harvest of life.
+ Father, send us your Spirit – that the advancement of your kingdom may not fall short through our selfishness or fear.
+ Father, send us your Spirit – that the universe may be alive with the Spirit, and that our homes may be the pledge of a world redeemed.

Lord God, you are the source of our strength. Send us your Spirit that we may live courageously in Christ and persevere in faith to the end of our days. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Take my life and let it be”

Blessing

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

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

Morning Prayer: 05 February – Galatians 2:19-20 ~ I trust in you

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Entrust your cares to the Lord and he will support you.

Morning Reading: Galatians 2:19-20 (NLT)

resurrection-cross

I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Morning Prayer

Christ is the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation, and the first to be born from the dead. All things are to be reconciled through him because he made peace by his death on the cross. Lord Jesus Christ, come to us today.

+ We have been baptized into your death: may we be cleansed of greed and envy, and clothed in the strength and gentleness of your love.
+ We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit who has been given to us; confirm us in your service, and help us to bear witness to you in the society in which we live.
+ We have been raised to new life in you: may we readily tell others of the changes you have made in us.
+ You continue to work in your faithful people: use us to create a new world where injustice and destruction will give way to growth, freedom and hope.

Lord Jesus Christ, come to us today. Give us the courage to face the challenges of this day trusting in your love and certain of eternal life with you – who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Trust In You” – Hillsong

Blessing

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

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

Morning Prayer: 04 February – Mark 6:7-13 ~ repent and believe

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. (Mark 1:15)

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

sent

And he 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

It is the Father’s will that mankind should see him in the face of his beloved Son. Let us honor him as we say: Holy is your name.

+ Christ greeted us with good news: may the world hear it through me, and find hope.
+ I praise and thank you, Lord of heaven and earth; you are the hope and joy of mankind in every age.
+ I pray that your coming may transform your people; and renew our youth and vigor in the service of mankind.
+ I pray for Christians who suffer for their belief: sustain them in their hope.

Holy is your name, Father God: grant me a true understanding of your saving mercy and grace, so that, freed from fear and from the power of my foes, I may serve you faithfully all the days of my life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Holy Are You God” – Terry Macalmon

Blessing

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 7:12)

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

Morning Prayer: 03 February – Mark 6:1-6 ~ dishonored at home

Wednesday of Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Morning Reading: Mark 6:1-6 (NLT)

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

unbelief

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.

Morning Prayer

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy, he gave us new birth into a living hope by his Son’s resurrection from the dead. Father, give us your strength.

+ Turn our eyes to Jesus Christ your Son. May he lead us in our faith and bring it to perfection.
+ We pray for cheerfulness and a generous heart; may we bring joy to our homes, to our work, and to all whom we meet.
+ We pray for all who are working today; be with us at home and in the city, in the factory and in the fields.
+ We pray for those who have no work; we pray for the disabled and the sick, for those who cannot find work, and for those who are retired.

Remember, Lord, your solemn covenant, renewed and consecrated by the blood of the Lamb, so that we, your people, may obtain forgiveness for our sins and a continued growth in grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“All I Have Is Christ” – Sovereign Grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ | Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

I once was lost in darkest night | Yet thought I knew the way | The sin that promised joy and life | Had led me to the grave | I had no hope that You would own | A rebel to Your will | And if You had not loved me first | I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race | Indifferent to the cost | You looked upon my helpless state | And led me to the cross | And I beheld God’s love displayed | You suffered in my place | You bore the wrath reserved for me | Now all I know is grace

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone | And live so all might see | The strength to follow Your commands | Could never come from me | Oh Father, use my ransomed life | In any way You choose | And let my song forever be | My only boast is You

Blessing

(May you) grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

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

Morning Prayer: 02 February – Luke 2:22-32 ~ now I can die in peace

The Presentation of the Lord

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

Opening Sentence

Bring comfort to your people, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.

Morning Reading: Luke 2:22-32 (NLT)

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Presentation in stained glass

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Morning Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. We worship and honor you, our Lord and Savior, who was presented to his Father in the temple, and who came to bring comfort to us all.

+ On the cross you consummated your sacrifice to the Father: unite us in your death that we might rise with you in glory.
+ You brought consolation to Israel: bring us now your wisdom, fresh understanding and new vision.
+ Your people continue to proclaim your coming: bring light to all who search for truth.
+ You are the sign of contradiction, the corner-stone rejected by the builders:
build us as living stones into a temple where you will dwell.

Almighty, ever-living God, on this day your Only-Begotten Son was presented in the Temple, in flesh and blood like ours. Purify us in mind and heart that we may meet you in your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Hope of the Nations” – Brian Doerksen

Blessing

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

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