Category: Life in Christ

Morning Prayer: Sat, 18 Mar – Exodus 12:13-14; John 14:25-27; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 ~ in remembrance

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, you know that I have no power in myself to help myself: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to my body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt my soul; through Jesus Christ my Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Reading: Exodus 12:13-14 (NLT)

“The blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time.
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Reading: John 14:25-27 (NLT)

“I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
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Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NLT)

On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”
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Eucharistic Prayer: adapted

Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord our God.

+ It is truly right to give you thanks, truly just to give you glory, Father, most holy, for you are the one God living and true, existing before all ages and abiding for all eternity, dwelling in unapproachable light; yet you, who alone are good, the source of life, have made all that is, so that you might fill your creatures with blessings and bring joy to many of them by the glory of your light.

+ We give you praise, Father most holy, for you are great, and you have fashioned all your works in wisdom and in love. You formed man in your own image and entrusted the whole world to his care, so that in serving you alone, the Creator, he might have dominion over all creatures.

+ And when through disobedience he had lost your friendship, you did not abandon him to the domain of death. For you came in mercy to the aid of all, so that those who seek might find you. Time and again you offered them covenants and through the prophets taught them to look forward to salvation.

+ And you so loved the world, Father most holy, that in the fullness of time you sent your Only Begotten Son to be our Savior. Made incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, he shared our human nature in all things but sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation, to prisoners, freedom, and to the sorrowful of heart, joy.

+ To accomplish your plan, he gave himself up to death, and, rising from the dead, he destroyed death and restored life. And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him who died and rose again for us, he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father, as the first fruits for those who believe, so that, bringing to perfection his work in the world, he might sanctify creation to the full.

+ Therefore, O Lord, we pray: may this same Holy Spirit graciously sanctify these offerings, that they may become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the celebration of this great mystery, which he himself left us as an eternal covenant.

Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice which you yourself have provided for your Church, and grant in your loving kindness to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit, they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your glory. Amen.
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“Remembrance” – Matt Redman


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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: Fri, 17 Mar – Psalm 86:11; Jeremiah 6:16; John 14:6 ~ lost? just ask…

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, you know that I have no power in myself to help myself: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to my body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt my soul; through Jesus Christ my Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 86:11 (NLT)

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
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Reading: Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
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Reading: John 14:6 (NLT)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
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Prayer:

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!

+ Forgive my wandering heart and re-direct me along the path leading to Life.
+ Purify my heart that I may honor you and want what you want for me.
+ Apply your unchanging word to my ever-changing world that I may not sin against you.
+ School me in godliness that I may follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

O Lord, your ancient path leads to rest for my soul in this life and the life to come. Lead me one step at a time on this path of righteousness. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Ancient Words” – Robin Mark


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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!

Story of Saint Patrick ~ Give Up Yer Aul Sins | YouTube

A child tells the story of Saint Patrick –

This series, including the original Oscar-nominated short, from Brown Bag Films is based upon the 1960s recordings of young children telling Bible stories in a classroom to their schoolteacher. When a film crew arrives at an inner city Dublin National School to record the children, the result is a warm, funny and spontaneous animated documentary, featuring young children telling the story of John the Baptist, The birth of Jesus, the Crucifixion, Saint Patrick and others.

Morning Prayer: Thu, 16 Mar – Philemon 6; James 4:6 ~ faithful friends

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, you know that I have no power in myself to help myself: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to my body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt my soul; through Jesus Christ my Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Reading: Philemon 6 (NLT)

I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
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Reading: James 4:6 (NLT)

God gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
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Prayer:

Faithful God: Thank you for making me your friend through the self-less life, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. He has shown me the cost of true love and friendship.

+ Lord, show me how to be a friend to those around me – at home, at work, at church, and in my neighborhood.
+ Lord, change my thinking from serving myself to serving the needs of those around me.
+ Lord, give me generosity of spirit that I may freely share the good things you have given me.
+ Lord, place within me a forgiving heart that I may willingly forgive the wrongdoing of others.
+ Lord, humble me before you and override my pride that I make take the initiative in reconciliation.
+ Lord, give me a spirit of faithfulness that I may keep faith with you and my friends no matter what happens.

Faithful God: You are my faithful friend, my best friend forever. Give me the grace and humility to show those closest to me the same faithful friendship I’ve received from you. Through my 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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“You’ve Got A Friend in Me” – Randy Newman


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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: Wed, 15 Mar – Psalm 77:11-14 ~ God works wonders

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 77:11-14 (NLT)

I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
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Prayer: (adapted from Psalm 103)

Let all that I am praise you, O Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise your holy name.

+ Lord God, thank you – for forgiving my sin and making me a new creation in Jesus Christ.
+ Lord God, thank you – for redeeming me from death and crowning me with love and tender mercies.
+ Lord God, thank you – for healing me physically and renewing my strength, exceeding all my expectations.
+ Lord God, thank you – for your compassion, mercy, and forbearance, especially when I don’t deserve it.
+ Lord God, thank you – for adopting me into your family and for being a tender-hearted Father to me.
+ Lord God, thank you – for your unfailing love and discipline to keep me on the right path.

Let all that I am praise you, O Lord, for you know how weak I am, and how short my life on this earth truly is. Teach me to make the most of the days you have given me, that I may love and serve you with my whole heart. And may the blessing you have bestowed on me be extended to my children and grandchildren. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“10,000 Reasons” – Matt Redman


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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!