Tag: chosen to serve

Morning Prayer: Monday, 19 June – Acts 6:1-7 ~ set apart to serve

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, as I turn to your Word for me, may the Spirit of God rest upon me. Help me to be steadfast in my hearing, in my speaking, in my believing, and in my living. Amen.

Reading: Acts 6:1-7 (NLT)

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
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Reflection and Prayer:

God of grace: Pour out your Holy Spirit on me today that I may faithfully serve you and those around me.

+ Give me openness to the Holy Spirit’s leading that I may see and serve wherever there is need.

+ Train me in prayer that I may express the compassion of Christ for the poor and the friendless, the sick, the grieving, and the troubled.

+ Equip me with courage to bear the gospel to the powerful, and to communicate your presence and might among those who are powerless.

+ In everything, give me the mind of Christ, who did not grasp at greatness but emptied himself, to become a servant of your reign.

+ Give me joy in my walk of faith and a sure sense of your abiding presence in my life and work.

I ask this 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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“Set Apart” – Worship Central


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 97:11-12 (NLT)

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name!
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thursday of 4th Week of Easter, 11 May – John 13:16-20 ~ welcome Master

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

All-powerful God, you remind us today that we are not greater than your Son Jesus, our servant Lord and master. Give us the love and endurance to serve you and to serve others without waiting for awards or gratitude; and to accept the difficulties and contradictions which are part of the Christian life, and which are normal for followers of him who bore the cross for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Reading: John 13:16-20 (NLT)

I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I am the Messiah. I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: you gave up your divine privileges, took the humble position of a servant, and were born as a human being. In washing your followers’ feet, you gave us an example of how to love and serve others.

+ Fill me with your Spirit that I may set aside all distractions and wait quietly for your word spoken to me.
+ Deepen my faith and trust in your loving-kindness that I may set aside my fears and do what you call me to do.
+ Give me the willingness to expend myself for others that I may find true happiness in their joy.

Lord Jesus Christ: you are the presence of the liberating face of God in our midst. May I decrease and you increase that I may find true freedom in your Father’s service, who lives with you and the holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“God I Look to You” – Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 89:1-2 (NLT)

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!