Morning Prayer: Mon, 17 Oct – Psalm 119:97-104; Proverbs 2:1-6; Luke 2:40-47, 52 ~ listen and learn

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

Opening Sentence

I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come. I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.

I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

Reading: 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.

Reading: 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.

Reading: 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.

Boy Jesus in the Temple (Christ in the Temple), by Heinrich Hofmann — Boy Jesus in the Temple (Christ in the Temple),
by Heinrich Hofmann

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.
__________

Prayer (Piran – in following, sixth century)

Teach me to follow You, and I will obey Your truth. Always keep me faithful.

+ Lord of the universe, whose hands threw the constellations in all their splendor, and stars in their myriads, into the endless velvet depths of space.

+ God of creation, who fashioned earth and sky and seas, who shaped the mountains, coasts and valleys, seeking out places I could recognize as home.

+ Teach me to see You through the glories of creation. Lift my eyes above the boundaries of far horizons.

+ Ever moving onward, I will seek You, moving nearer, closer to Your beating heart.

Heavenly Father: Draw me close to You, that I might listen and learn. Give me a teachable spirit and write Your Word on my heart, that I might not lose my way. In Jesus’ name.

“Draw Me Close” – Michael W. Smith

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Sat, 15 Oct – Psalm 119:89-95; Deuteronomy 17:19; Revelation 1:3; 5:2-5 ~ you give me life

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:89-95 (NLT)

Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.

I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.

Alone, but not lonely.

Reading: Deuteronomy 17:19 (NLT)

He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.

Reading: Revelation 1:3; 5:2-5 (NLT)

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
_____

And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Prayer

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing; God only is changeless. Patience gains all things; Who has God wants nothing. God alone suffices.

St. Teresa of Avila

“Love came down” – Bethel Church

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Fri, 14 Oct – Psalm 119:81-88; Judges 6:11-14; Hebrews 12:11-12 ~ get a grip and straighten up

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:81-88 (NLT)

I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?

I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.

In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws.

Reading: Judges 6:11-14 (NLT)

Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

Reading: Hebrews 12:11-12 (NLT)

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

Prayer

Faithful God: Thank You for another day! Thank You for my life and the purpose You have given me. Thank You for Your Word and Spirit. Refresh my spirit – I come before You feeling tired and weak.

+ Fill me with joy – that I may rejoice in Your goodness no matter how tired I am.
+ Enfold me in Your unfailing love – that I may not be overcome by fear or anxiety.
+ Strengthen me and all who are feeling tired or empty – that we may not complain in our weakness.
+ Restore our minds and align our thinking with Your word – that we may still function properly.
+ Empower our bodies with Your Spirit that we may have the energy needed to get through the day.
+ Give us the wisdom to let go of those things that drain us and get the rest we need.

Merciful God: I ask for Your healing presence in my life and in the lives of all who are feeling tired and weak. We lay our lives down at Your throne and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“You Are My Strength” – Hillsong

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 13 Oct – Psalm 119:79-80; 2 Kings 10:15; Galatians 6:10 ~ do something good

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:79-80 (NLT)

Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws. May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed.

Reading: 2 Kings 10:15 (NLT)

Evangelical Christian prays for Donald Trump in Florida

When Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab, who was coming to meet him. After they had greeted each other, Jehu said to him, “Are you as loyal to me as I am to you?”

“Yes, I am,” Jehonadab replied.

“If you are,” Jehu said, “then give me your hand.” So Jehonadab put out his hand, and Jehu helped him into the chariot.

Reading: Galatians 6:10 (NLT)

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Prayer

It is your business and others’ to go forth, confronting them face to face, for that is the only way of bringing them to Me. For when you are face to face with them, you love them, and once you love them, then I can speak through you.

From Molchanie
by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

His love that burns inside me
impels me on the road
to seek for Christ in the stranger’s face
or feel the absence of His touch.

(Aidan)

Holy Spirit: Show me how to do good (a word or an action) to every one I meet today. Amen.

“Do Something Good – Today” – Russian video that shows some every day heroes.

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Wed, 12 Oct – Psalm 119:73-78; Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:25-26 ~ made by God

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:73-78 (NLT)

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NLT)

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Reading: Romans 8:25-26 (NLT)

If we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Prayer

O God, forgive the poverty and pettiness of our prayers. Listen not to our words, but to the yearning of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need. (Peter Marshall)

I cannot speak, unless You loose my tongue; I only stammer, and I speak uncertainly; but if You touch my mouth, my Lord, then I will sing of Your wonders!

I have a dream that all the world will meet You, and know You, Jesus, in Your living power, that someday soon all people everywhere will hear Your story, and hear it in a way they understand.

So many who have heard forget to tell the story.

Here am I, my Jesus: teach me. (Caedmon)

“The Potter’s Hand” – Hillsong

Blessing

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

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