Morning Prayer: Thu, 01 Dec – Psalm 118; Isaiah 26:1-6; Matthew 7:21, 24-27 ~ actions speak louder…

Thursday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait for the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
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It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
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Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!
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Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
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Reading: Isaiah 26:1-6 (NLT)

In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song:

Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.

Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust. The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot, and the needy walk all over it.
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Reading: Matthew 7:21, 24-27 (NLT)

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
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“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
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Prayer:

Faithful God: You are good; Your love endures forever.

+ Thank You for Your trustworthiness
+ Thank You for Your protection in times of trouble
+ Thank You for answering my prayers
+ Thank You for giving me victory over my enemies

Saving God: You are my eternal Rock; You are my Redemption; You are my Strong Deliverer.

+ Thank You for welcoming me into Your presence
+ Thank You for enveloping me with Your safety and peace
+ Keep me faithful to You – that I may trust You in all things
+ Keep my thoughts fixed on You – that I may live humbly before You

Sovereign God:

+ I believe that Jesus Christ is my only Lord and Savior
+ I believe that You raised Him from the dead and that He will return in glory
+ May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in me – while I wait patiently for His return
+ May I listen to Your teaching and follow it today – that my life may withstand the storms of this world

Lord, give me an open heart and an obedient spirit. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Trust In You” – Lauren Daigle

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Wed, 30 Nov – Psalm 19:8-11; Romans 10:9-18; Matthew 4:18-22 ~ beautiful feet

Wednesday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

Reading: Psalm 19:8-11 (NLT)

The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
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Reading: Romans 10:9-18 (NLT)

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

“The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”

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Reading: Matthew 4:18-22 (NLT)

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers — Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew — throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father:

Fill me with a desire to understand, and joyfully apply, Your Word to my life – that I may live reverently and receive Your promised great reward.

Holy Spirit :

Give me the words I need, when I need them – that I may persuasively tell others the Good News of what You have done for me.

Lord Jesus :

Show me what I must leave behind – that I may follow You without hesitation and be an example to others.

Amen .
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“How beautiful are the feet”

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: Tue, 29 Nov – Psalm 72; Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24 ~ God’s righteousness revealed

Tuesday in the First Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
__________

Reading: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 (NLT)

Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.
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May all the godly flourish during his reign. May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he reign from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
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He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.
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May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.
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Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 (NLT)

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot — yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

Jesus & animals PEACE by William Strutt, late 1800's — Jesus & animals PEACE
by William Strutt, late 1800’s

In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.

Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
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Reading: Luke 10:21-24 (NLT)

At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “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 when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”
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Prayer:

Sovereign God: Your people long for a fair and righteous judge; come Lord Jesus.

+ that the godly may flourish and prosper
+ that the poor may be treated fairly
+ that the oppressed and unprotected may be defended
+ that the weak and needy may be rescued

Son of David: You are the banner of salvation for the whole world; grant us Your peace.

+ that wisdom, understanding and fear of the Lord may prevail
+ that truth may be revealed and the wicked destroyed
+ that enmity within creation may be replaced by peace
+ that all nations may flourish under Your rule

Lord Jesus: Thank You for revealing the heart and mind of the Father to us.

+ Draw us ever closer to You that we may become more like You
+ Give us Your humility that we might freely let go of our rights and privileges
+ Renew our minds that we might approach You with the openness of a child
+ Give us eyes to see and ears to hear You during this advent season

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
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“This Kingdom” – David Evans

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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell among us and be my peace today.

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 23 December – Exodus 24:3-8; Luke 22:19-20 ~ taste and see the beauty

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Exodus 24:3-8 NLT

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord ’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”

Morning Reading: Luke 22:19-20 NLT

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people — an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
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Prayer:

Faithful God: Thank You for the New Covenant, signed and sealed with the Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, thank You for this season when all are, once again, welcomed to Your Table.

+ As we celebrate Christmas – may we rejoice in the wonder of the Son of God born to save us.
+ As we contemplate the Cross – may we reflect on the cost to the Son of Man who died to save us.

Loving and Gracious God: As people around the world gather at Your Table – may we drink the Cup of Joy and eat the Bread of Life… and enter into the beauty of Christmas. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, and will come again in glory, one God forever. Amen.
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“Christmas Communion Song”

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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

Morning Prayer: 24 Dec – Luke 1:67-79 ~ the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us

First Day Before Christmas

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

Opening sentences:

The Lord is close at hand: come let us worship him.

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Today you will know that the Lord is coming, and in the morning you will see his glory.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 1:67-79 (NLT)

Photo of the Tower of David, David's Citadel, מגדל דוד, Migdal David, taken at dawn. Jerusalem Israel. — Photo of the Tower of David, David’s Citadel, מגדל דוד, Migdal David, taken at dawn. Jerusalem Israel.

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant — the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.

“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
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Canticle

Lord, let your lovingkindness be upon me – your salvation as you promised.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Tomorrow the sin of the world will be taken away, and the Savior of the world will reign over us, and he will take away all weakness.

Blessing:

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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

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