Morning Prayer: 02 February – Luke 2:22-32 ~ now I can die in peace

The Presentation of the Lord

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

Opening Sentence

Bring comfort to your people, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.

Morning Reading: Luke 2:22-32 (NLT)

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Morning Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. We worship and honor you, our Lord and Savior, who was presented to his Father in the temple, and who came to bring comfort to us all.

+ On the cross you consummated your sacrifice to the Father: unite us in your death that we might rise with you in glory.
+ You brought consolation to Israel: bring us now your wisdom, fresh understanding and new vision.
+ Your people continue to proclaim your coming: bring light to all who search for truth.
+ You are the sign of contradiction, the corner-stone rejected by the builders:
build us as living stones into a temple where you will dwell.

Almighty, ever-living God, on this day your Only-Begotten Son was presented in the Temple, in flesh and blood like ours. Purify us in mind and heart that we may meet you in your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Hope of the Nations” – Brian Doerksen

Blessing

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

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

Morning Prayer: 01 February – Mark 5:1-20 ~ power evangelism

Monday of Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Take courage, my children, call on God: he will deliver you from tyranny, from the hands of your enemies. Rejoice, for mercy will soon reach you from your Savior.

Morning Reading: Mark 5:1-20 (NLT)

So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”

And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”

So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

Morning Prayer

Almighty Father, the heavens cannot hold your greatness: yet through your Son we have learned to say: Father, may your Kingdom come!

+ We praise you as your children; may your name be kept holy in the hearts of all mankind.
+ Help us to live in the hope of heaven today: make us ready to do your will on earth.
+ Give us this day the courage to forgive others: as you forgive us our trespasses.
+ Father, be with us in all our trials: do not allow us to fall away from you.

Lord God, who entrusted the earth to mankind to till it and care for it, and made the sun to serve their needs: give us grace this day to work faithfully for your glory and for our neighbors’ good. May your kingdom come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Break Every Chain” – Jesus Culture

Blessing

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5b-6)

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

Morning Prayer: 30 January – Mark 4:35-41 ~ faith over fear

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

“This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Morning Reading: Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me courage, for perhaps I lack it more than anything else.

+ I need courage before men against their threats and against their seductions.
+ I need courage to bear unkindness, mockery, contradiction.
+ I need courage to fight against the devil, against terrors and troubles, temptations, attractions, darkness and false lights, against tears, depression, and above all fear.
+ I need Your help, dear God. Strengthen me with Your love and Your grace.

Console me with Your Presence and grant me the courage to persevere until I am with You forever in heaven. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

“Oceans” – Hillsong United

Blessing

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

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

Morning Prayer: 29 January – Mark 4:26-34 ~ a work in progress

Friday of Third Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Morning Reading: Mark 4:26-34 (NLT)

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

Morning Prayer

Sovereign God: by your grace, you have sown your Kingdom seeds in my life – may they produce a bountiful harvest in me.

+ Renew my mind – that I may be transformed into the image of Christ.
+ Live in me – that I may display your good and perfect will for me.
+ Watch over me – that your Word and Spirit may finish what you have begun in me.
+ Humble me – that I may be content with small victories until you come again in glory.

Almighty Father, let your light so penetrate my mind that, living by your Word and Spirit, I may always follow you, my leader and guide. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Take Heart My Friend” – Fernando Ortega

Blessing

“I am certain that God, who began the good work within us, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)

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

Morning Prayer: 28 January – Mark 4:21-25 ~ all will be revealed

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Lord, from you springs life; in your light we shall see light.

Morning Reading: Mark 4:21-25 (NLT)

Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Morning Prayer

I adore and praise my God who reigns above the heavens. He is the lord of all things and before him all creation is as nothing.

+ Eternal Father, it is by your gift that I praise you: the wonder of my making is only surpassed by the splendor and joy of my coming to life in Christ.
+ Lord, be with me as I start a new day: move my heart to seek you and my will to serve you.
+ Deepen my awareness of your presence: teach me reverence and love for all that you made.
+ To know you is to love those you created: let my life and my work be of service to all.

Lord God, give me grace to understand your Word and follow Jesus wherever he leads me. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Light Of The World” – African Children’s Choir

Blessing

“Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

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

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