29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 121:1-8; Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8 ~ hands up

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 121:1-8 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

A Reading from the Old Teastament: Exodus 17:8-13 (NIV)

The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 (NLT)

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Intercessions:

With my hands and heart raised before You, O Lord – my saving help – hear my prayer:

That Christian leaders who labor on behalf of Your Church throughout the world are filled with the Holy Spirit so they may inspire and guide the faithful. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
That Christian believers always enjoy the freedom to pray in public and worship You according to Your command, especially those Christians being persecuted in the Middle East. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
That Christian believers realize we are not only receivers but also proclaimers of Your Word to every tribe and nation on earth. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
That Christian believers acknowledge our stewardship – all we have comes from You and is to be used to further Your Kingdom purposes – and therefore make wise use of our time, talent and treasure. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For all those serving our country around the world…and for the loved ones who await their safe return. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For those who are sick, hospitalized, or homebound, and for their caregivers. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For those who have recently died in You, and for all who mourn their loss. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.
For those who weigh heavily on my heart today. (silent pause) Lord, hear my prayer.

God of truth, you know my weaknesses and my failings. Make me faithful to Your path. I ask you this through Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Spirital Song: “Put Your Heart in Me” – Misty Edwards

When you cry, I want to cry with you / When you laugh, let me feel joy / When you move, I want to move with you / When you’re still, keep my feet on the ground

For without you I can do nothing / To be with you is my greatest dream / To be without you I would have nothing / So keep me near you now and always

Show me what you are doing / I want to be near you as your friend / Tell me your deepest secrets / I want to know you, put your heart in me

When you pray, I want to pray with you / When you heal, Lord use my hands / When moved with compassion, turn within me / When seasons change, let me in on your plan / For you Spirit lives within me / And your heartbeat He will unveil

Your very mind has been placed within me / So clear the gray and let me enter in / Show me what you’re doing / I want to be near you as a friend / Tell me your deepest secrets / I want to know you, put your heart in me

Show me what you’re doing / I want to be near you as your friend / Tell me your deepest secrets / I want to know you, put your heart in me / I want to know you, put your heart in me / I want to love you, put your heart in me / Let me hear your heartbeat, let me hear what you feel / Let me hear your heartbeat, let me hear what you feel

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

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:113-117; Isaiah 55:8-9; Ephesians 1:3; 2:6-7 ~ keep looking down

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

Psalm 119:113-117 NLT:

I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God.

Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT:

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Ephesians 1:3; 2:6-7 NLT:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Reflection/Prayer:

Uphold me that I may live and not be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up and I shall be safe.

Give me a calm and confident trust in Thee. Make me willing to live just one day at a time. May my heart re-echo to Thy promise that only as I rest in Thee can the desires of my heart be given to me. And now help me to do my part in placing a guard around my thoughts, by resolutely refusing to return to my old haunts of distrust. I thank Thee for Thy love for me and for Thy help. Amen. (Peter Marshall)

My greatest struggle is
the struggle not to struggle. (Arthur Burt)

What the soul has to do in the time of quiet is only to be gentle and make no noise… Let the will quietly and prudently understand that one does not deal successfully with God by any efforts of one’s own. (Teresa of Avila)

I knew a man who always said ‘Keep looking down,’ ‘You mean keep looking up, don’t you?’ ‘No! No! We are seated together with Christ in heavenly places!’ (Arthur Burt)

Keep looking down, we’re seated in the heavenlies,
God’s mighty power has raised us over all.
Keep looking down, above all pricipalities,
for we have ‘died and risen with the Lord.’
And in His name we have authority,
and in His name we shall prevail,
And in His name we dare to face the enemy
and in His name we cannot fail.
Keep looking down! (Jimmy Owens)

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

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.

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

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com.

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:105-112; Isaiah 30:20-21; Hebrews 4:12-13 ~ one step at a time

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

Psalm 119:105-112 NLT:

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised. Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations. My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.

Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.

Isaiah 30:20-21 NLT:

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you.

You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT:

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Reflection/Prayer:

Your word is a lamp to my feet; where I am standing now, and the step just before me that I need not hesitate over. Your word is a light to my path, shining a little way ahead, giving me glimpses of direction to reassure me and give me purpose. You shine faithfully upon my life, but You cannot and will not take the steps for me – it is I who must walk in Your way and become the expression of Your will.

O Lord, give me wisdom. I dare not take a step without You. When I cannot see all of the way forward, help me to trust that You will whisper in my heart or in my ear calling me back when I might step to right or left of what You intend for me. When there are snares for my feet, help me to find the way through, and continue with a rejoicing heart to the end.

When we do not know what to do, let us ask of Thee, that we might find out. We dare to ask for light upon only one step at a time. We would rather walk with Thee than jump by ourselves. (Peter Marshall)

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. (Attributed to Patrick)

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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:97-104; Proverbs 2:1-6; Luke 2:40-47, 52 ~ seek wisdom

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

Psalm 119:97-104 NLT:

Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Proverbs 2:1-6 NLT:

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Luke 2:40-47, 52 NLT:

There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends.

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Reflection/Prayer:

Oh how I love Thy law! It is my meditation, all the day. ‘I have more understanding than all my teachers…’ Jesus has this, not because He was God, but because He was receptive in His humnan life to the Voice and direction of His Father. As a boy He had apparently not experienced the anointing of the Holy Spirit yet, but even so by saturating Himself in Scripture He was filled with understanding. Nor did He consider Himself unteachable, unable to learn from others.

Aidan of Lindisfarne had a similar love of Scripture, and especially the psalms which he would memorize, and speak by heart as he travelled on foot with his companions. In Eastern Europe and elsewhere, when copies of the Bible are hard-to-come-by, believers naturally treasure the word, and memorize as much as possible. No authority can remove the word hidden in your heart; it can be meditated upon all day long.

If we practiced silence a little bit more, then when we did speak we’d have something to say. (John Skinner)

I weave a silence on to my lips
I weave a silence into my mind
I weave a silence within my heart
I close my ears to distractions
I close my eyes to attractions
I close my heart to temptations.
Calm me, O Lord, as You stilled the storm
Still me, O Lord, keep me from harm
Let all the tumult within me cease
Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace.
(David Adam)

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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:96; I Samuel 2:18-21; Matthew 5:48 ~ attainable perfection

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

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.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

God the Father by Cima da Conegliano, c. 1515 — God the Father
by Cima da Conegliano, c. 1515

Psalm 119:96 NLT:

Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.

I Samuel 2:18-21 NLT:

But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest. Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice. Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord.” And the Lord gave Hannah three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

Matthew 5:48 NLT:

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Reflection/Prayer:

Those of us who are unfamiliar with Greek can apparently miss out on the subtleties of meaning in many New Testament passages.

I am told that one such verse is that which says, Be perfect even as your Heavenly Father is perfect. The two words used for ‘perfect’ are slightly different. The one is perfection in a limited, finite way, the other infinite.

What this means is that Jesus’ command to be perfect is attainable (at least on a good day!). We are asked to be as perfect as we can be, even as He is as perfect as He can be. We are being asked to eat our dinner like our Daddy, not to eat our Daddy’s dinner. As we grow, so does our capacity for such food.

…like an onion: except that as you go in and in, each circle is larger than the last. (C.S. Lewis)

Hymn: “The Perfect Wisdom of Our God” – Keith and Kristyn Getty

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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

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