Category: Life in Christ

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Thu, 13 July – Ezekiel 31-36 ~ heal our land

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Reading: Ezekiel 31-36 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. – Psalm 33:12 (NLT)

Sovereign Lord: The Scriptures teach us that kings and kingdoms come and go, according to your good pleasure. You sustain those who revere you; you destroy those who rebel against you. Human history records the rise and ruin of once-great civilizations; and here I stand on the brink of the ruin of my own country because of our rebellion against you. Lord, have mercy on me and my country.

Ezekiel 31:14 (NLT) – This is what the Sovereign Lord says… “Let the tree of no other nation proudly exult in its own prosperity, though it be higher than the clouds and it be watered from the depths. For all are doomed to die, to go down to the depths of the earth. They will land in the pit along with everyone else on earth….”

+ Sovereign Lord: Deliver us from inordinate pride in our achievements and accomplishments. You alone are the source of our nation’s prosperity; you alone can satisfy the desires of our hearts. Deliver us from the corruption of profligate materialism, and the false belief that more “stuff” can fill the emptiness of godless lives. Stay your hand of judgement, and restore us as “one nation under God” – that we may be your instrument for justice and peace throughout the world.

Ezekiel 33:1-5 (NLT) – Once again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, give your people this message: ‘When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman. When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.

Sovereign Lord: Where are we in our nation’s cycle of prosperity, rebellion, judgement, repentance and restoration? Can America be restored as “one nation under God,” or is it too late for that?

Clearly many people inside and outside of our country have seen the election of Donald Trump as a disturbing sign of our downfall. And yet, you have used unlikely people before as instruments of your sovereign will. Is he the one to call America back to our Judeo-Christian foundations? Is he the one to defend the values of Western civilization?

I pray that Donald Trump might be America’s watchman; give him your wisdom and direct him by your Word and Spirit through godly, believing advisors to do what’s right in your sight. And, I pray that your people would take action and heed his warning.

Ezekiel 33:10-11 (NLT) – “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’ As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?”

+ Sovereign Lord: Restore our country by restoring your church in America – cleanse us from our wicked behavior, that we may live in faithful obedience to your Son, Jesus Christ.

Raise up faithful shepherds of your people after the example of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd – that they might speak the truth in love and lead your people along the path of godliness. Transform our lives by the renewal of our minds that we may eagerly do what is just and right – caring for the weak, healing the sick and brokenhearted, and seeking those who have wandered away and are lost.

Ezekiel 36:22-23 (NLT) – “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name…. I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord.”

+ Sovereign Lord: I welcome you as our Lord and God on behalf of my country; lead us on the path of peace. Wash away our sin and cleanse us. Turn our stubborn hearts of stone into tender, responsive hearts. And fill us with your Spirit that we may happily follow your life-giving laws. Protect your people and your church; rescue us and set us free to live without fear in the security of your loving-kindness.

Join us in covenant with your people Israel through our Lord Jesus Christ – that the world may know that we are your people, the sheep of your pasture; that we are your people, and you are our God. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Heal Our Land” – Michael Card


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Wed, 12 July – Proverbs 11-12 ~ godly citizens

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Reading: Proverbs 11-12 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) – I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

Almighty God: you promise to give wisdom to those who ask for it. Today I ask for the wisdom to live as a godly citizen of my country – that all might live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

Proverbs 11:11 (NLT) – Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

+ Sovereign God, I pray for the prosperity of our country. I pray that your people might live rightly, honestly, and humbly before you. I ask that we might speak words of encouragement, that we might kindly speak the truth, and that we may be trustworthy, keeping the confidences of others. Make us people who live with integrity, people who choose life. Keep us focused on the good around us, and deepen our roots in the love you have shown us through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 11:14 (NLT) – Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

Sovereign God: your hand has guided the history of our nation; you have chastened and corrected us when we veered off your path, and you have prospered and protected us when we have humbled ourselves before you. I pray for our President, our Vice-President, and all people of goodwill in our government. Give them the wisdom they need to restore us as “One Nation Under God.” Humble them before you at the enormity and complexity of the task – you alone have the wisdom, understanding and power to bring it about. Protect them from the lies and schemes of evil, wicked people. And in every word or action that pleases you, I ask that you multiply the good fruit of their efforts beyond all expectations.

Proverbs 12:13 (NLT) – The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.

Sovereign God: you rule the world with truth and grace; expose the lies and schemes of evil, wicked people – who serve only themselves, and worse – the evil one. Expose and put to shame all those who are dishonest, treacherous, destructive, foolish, back-biting, ruthless, cruel, crooked, short-sighted, unstable, warped, murderous, untrustworthy, ambitious and prideful. May they reap what they sow, and may their treachery undo them in the end.

Proverbs 12:28 (NLT) – The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.

Sovereign God: lead your people on the path of life – abundant and eternal. Humble us that we may receive your gift of wisdom. Rescue all those who trust in you. Make us a kind, generous, gracious people. Help us to stand firm in you, and speak life-giving words of faith into our families, our neighborhoods, our work-places, our communities, and our nation – through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“God of Our Fathers”


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Tue, 11 July – 2 Kings 6-10 ~ prophets and kings

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Reading: 2 Kings 6-10 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Lord God: you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; kings and kingdoms come and go, but you remain the same – and through it all, your prophets speak your unchanging word to our ever-changing world.

Today’s reading walks me through dark days in the history of your people. And I am reminded again how much I need your mercy and grace living in today’s world:

“Most merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.”
[Episcopal Book of Common Prayer – adapted]

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”    –   Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT)

+ Lord God, you are jealous about your relationship with me. Your love knows no bounds, but you expect reciprocity in our relationship. Rekindle in me the desires of “first love” to love you with all my heart, soul and mind and to acknowledge your presence with me throughout the day.

+ Lord God, you are alive; your very presence permeates all things in heaven and earth, and you live in me through the power of your Spirit. Reveal to me the knock-off imitations in my life – that draw me away from worshiping you alone – the One True God.

+ Lord God, you are just; you reign over all the earth with Truth and Righteousness. Your commandments codify life under your rule; your Son personifies Truth and Righteousness; and your Spirit enables me to live as a citizen of heaven. Show me where I am out of step with you, that my children and grandchildren might not bear the consequences of my disobedience.

+ Lord God, you are holy; you are an all-consuming fire – you pour out your fury to purge your people of their wickedness. You heap on the heads of the wicked the full penalty for all their sins. No one can stand before you, or come into your presence, apart from your mercy and grace.

Lord God: your prophets continually proclaimed the truth, exposed sin, and warned of coming judgement – and they were ignored. Even your Son was ignored, and then killed, because your people couldn’t handle Truth.

But you had the last word – you raised him from the dead and placed him at your right hand to judge the living and the dead. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy – on me. Apart from you, I am lost. Save me. Lord, from myself – through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.
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“Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)” – Dan Arndt


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Mon, 10 July – Leviticus 13-15 ~ certified healing

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Reading: Leviticus 13-15 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” – Matthew 8:1-4 (NLT)

Leviticus 14:1-4 (NLT) –

And the Lord said to Moses, “The following instructions are for those seeking ceremonial purification from a skin disease. Those who have been healed must be brought to the priest, who will examine them at a place outside the camp. If the priest finds that someone has been healed of a serious skin disease, he will perform a purification ceremony….”

A Prayer for Healing: Catholic Online

Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow Your healing Hand to heal me.

Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, and help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever. Amen.
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“Heal Me, O Lord” – Don Moen


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

5th Sunday after Pentecost: 09 July – Matthew 11:25-30 ~ rest for the weary

5th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, by whose gracious will the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike, teach us humility of heart after the example of your Son, that in shouldering his yoke we may find refreshment and rest. 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.
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“Song Of Moses” – Aaron Keyes


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Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT)

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Prayer:

Our God is kind and compassionate; he welcomes us into his presence and listens to the cries of our hearts –

+ That believers everywhere may learn to trust in your gentle support….

+ That leaders in every tribe and nation may work for peace….

+ That the people of Syria and Iraq may be delivered from violence and danger….

+ That civil debate and discourse might replace the politics of personal destruction….

+ That all who labor and are overburdened may find rest, physically and spiritually….

+ That those who suffer in body, soul or spirit may be healed by Christ Jesus….

+ For all who have died in war, or in service to their country, that they may be raised to eternal life with Christ Jesus….

God of compassion and faithfulness, you raise up all who are bowed down: hear our prayer we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 62” – Aaron Keyes


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Concluding Prayer –

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. – 2 Th. 2:16-17 (NLT)
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!