Category: Life in Christ

Morning Prayer: Wed, 29 Mar – Psalm 89:5; Matthew 18:20 ~ all together in Jesus’ name

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 89:5 (ESV)

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
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Reading: Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: your people magnify and glorify your name; we give you the praise and honor you deserve. Grace us with your presence as we come together in your name.

+ May we work together in harmony, as we deliver the bread of life that you so freely offer.

+ May our humility, kindness and compassion bless others, as we become more like Jesus.

+ May your light of life shine through us, as we light the way to your heavenly kingdom.

+ May your mercy and forgiveness bring us together as a family, as we show love for one another.

+ May we never berate one another; instead,  we pray blessing, joy, welfare and protection on one another.

Heavenly Father: we declare in the name of Jesus, according to the power of the Spirit at work in us, that we – your people – are of one mind, one faith, and one baptism. You are the Lord and Father of us all – through 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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“Praise & Harmony “We Will Glorify” Summer Celebration” – The Acappella Company


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Morning Prayer: Tue, 28 Mar – 1 Timothy 1:18-19 ~ battle-ready

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Reading: 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NLT)

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: In your death and resurrection you have defeated, once and for all time, the principalities and powers that would enslave me. And yet, the battles rage on – until you return in glory. Prepare me to successfully engage the enemy –

+ Ground me in your word that I may distinguish truth from falsehood.
+ Strengthen my faith in you that I may reject the lies and deceit of the devil.
+ Clothe me with your righteousness that I may live with a clear conscience.
+ Send me out with the Good News of peace – you, Lord, reign victoriously.

Lord Jesus Christ: I am battle-scarred and battle-ready. Position me where I can be most effective in the service of your Kingdom – until your glorious return. For yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory now and forever. Amen.
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“The Battle Belongs To The Lord” – John Michael Talbot


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Morning Prayer: Mon, 27 Mar – Psalm 126:1-3 ~ What joy!

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 126:1-3 (NLT)

When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
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Prayer:

God of grace and glory: you have done amazing things for us. We planted in tears and you gave a harvest of joy.

+ We pray for lasting joy – help us to seek your unchanging values in this ever-changing world.
+ We pray for eternal joy – prepare us to celebrate Easter and our assurance of resurrection to eternal life.
+ We pray for promised joy – make believers around the world one in you and in love for one another.
+ We pray for assisted joy – may we reach out with joy to grasp your hand and walk more readily in your ways.

God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Shir Ha Ma’alot – Song of Ascents (Psalm 126)” – New Messianic Songs


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Fourth Sunday of Lent: 26 March – John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 ~ seeing and believing

Fourth Sunday of Lent: 26 March 2017

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

Opening:

O God: you renew the world through mysteries beyond all telling; grant, I pray, that your people may be guided by your eternal design and not be deprived of your help in this present age. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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Reading: John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
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Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”

But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”
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Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!”

Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.

Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?”

The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”
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“You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”

“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”

“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: Light of the world – open my eyes to recognize your hand at work in the miraculous and the mundane.

+ Lord, open my eyes to the needs of people in my neighborhood.
+ Lord, show me the good works you are already doing in their lives.
+ Lord, give me discernment to recognize opportunities to join your work.
+ Lord, help me make the most of these opportunities to love them and honor you.

Lord Jesus Christ: Light of the world – display your wonder-working power in my neighborhood; that all may acknowledge you as the Son of God and worship you – to the glory of the Most High God. Amen.
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“This I Believe” – Hillsong Worship


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Closing:

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. – Isaiah 50:4-5 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Format adapted from Lectio Divina: USCCB Lenten Resources, 2017