Tag: Daily Office Universalis

Morning Prayer: Fri, 02 Sep – Proverbs 16:7; Ephesians 2:13-16 ~ Christ is our peace

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

Opening Sentence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me.

Morning Reading: Proverbs 16:7 (NLT)

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.

Morning Reading: Ephesians 2:13-16 (NLT)

Christ our peace

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Prayer

Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for your Son, my Lord Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit he offered himself in sacrifice to you, that I might be delivered from death and selfishness, and be free to live in your peace.

+ I accept this new day as your gift; grant that I may live in newness of life.
+ You made all things, and keep all things in being; give me the insight to see your hand at work in them all.
+ Your Son sealed the new and everlasting covenant in his blood; help me to live by this gracious covenant and honor it.
+ Jesus died on the cross to reconcile all mankind; pour out your Spirit upon me that I may set aside my hostilities and prejudices toward others.

Almighty God, as in this morning prayer we offer you our praise, grant that in your kingdom, together with your saints, we may praise you with even greater joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Christ Has Broken Down the Wall” – Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation Singers

Blessing

Christ with me, Christ in me.

Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left; Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down; Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me; Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ with me, Christ in me.

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 01 Sep – Proverbs 10:20-21; Romans 14:17-19 ~ encourage someone

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

Opening Sentence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me.

Morning Reading: Proverbs 10:20-21 (NLT)

The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.

The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

encouragement 1

Morning Reading: Romans 14:17-19 (NLT)

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Prayer

Blessed be our God and Father: he hears my prayers.

+ Thank you, Father, for sending your Son: may I keep him before my eyes throughout this day.
+ Make wisdom and sound judgement my guide: help me walk in newness of life.
+ Give me your strength in my weakness: when I meet problems give me courage to face them.
+ Direct my thoughts, my words, my actions today: may I know, and do, your will.
+ Fill me with your Spirit: may my life reflect your goodness and peace and joy.

Lord God, true Light and Creator of light, grant that faithfully pondering on all that is holy, I may ever live in the splendor of your presence. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Righteousness, Peace, Joy” – Ron Kenoly

Blessing

Christ with me, Christ in me.

Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left; Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down; Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me; Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ with me, Christ in me.

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

Morning Prayer: Wed, 31 August – Proverbs 15:9; Romans 8:35 & 37 ~ joined forever

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

Opening Sentence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me.

Morning Reading: Proverbs 15:9 (NLT)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.

Morning Reading: Romans 8:35 & 37 (NLT)

nothing can seperate

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
_____

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Prayer

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, for he promised to be with us until the end of time. With confidence in his promise I pray –

+ Stay with me, Lord Jesus: In all things I am victorious through your love; take me into your care today.
+ Stay with me, Lord Jesus: Let the love of your Holy Spirit be in my heart; I consecrate this day to you.
+ Stay with me, Lord Jesus: Help me to answer your call to be salt to the earth and light to the world.
+ Stay with me, Lord Jesus: Use all I do and say to further your good purposes for me and for those around me.

Shed your clear light on my heart, Lord, so that in my pursuit of godliness I may never be deceived or misled. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Victory in Jesus” – – Selah

Blessing

Christ with me, Christ in me.

Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left; Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down; Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me; Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ with me, Christ in me.

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

Morning Prayer: Tue, 30 August – Proverbs 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 ~ children of the light

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

Opening Sentence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me.

Morning Reading: Proverbs 4:18 (NLT)

first gleam of dawn
the first gleam of dawn

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

Morning Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (NLT)

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Prayer

Blessed be my Savior, Jesus Christ, who by his rising to new life has freed the world from fear. Lord, cover me with your perfect love.

+ Lord Jesus, as this day begins, I am reminded that you are risen, and therefore I look to the future with confidence.
+ Lord Jesus, take to yourself my cares, my hopes, and my needs, so that I may live freely as a child of the light.
+ Lord Jesus, deepen in me my love for you today, so that in all things I may find the good, and the good of others.
+ Lord Jesus, I pray that through my own troubles, I may learn to feel the sufferings of others; help me to show them your compassion.

True Light of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, as you enlighten all mankind for their salvation, give me grace, I pray, to herald your coming by preparing the way of truth and light. You live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

“Children of God” – Third Day

Blessing

Christ with me, Christ in me.

Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left; Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down; Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me; Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ with me, Christ in me.

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

Morning Prayer: Mon, 29 Aug – Proverbs 8:34-36; Isaiah 49:1-2 ~ a story to tell

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

The Beheading of St John the Baptist

Opening Sentence

As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me.

Morning Reading: Proverbs 8:34-36 (NLT)

Wisdom: “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

Morning Reading: Isaiah 49:1-2 (NLT)

Salome with the Head of John the baptist Caravaggio, 1610 National Gallery, London
Salome with the Head of John the baptist
Caravaggio, 1610
National Gallery, London

Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ: John the Baptist was sent before you to prepare the way for you. Lord, prepare us for your coming.

+ John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth as she met your mother: Lord, make us always glad to welcome your coming.
+ John showed in his life what he preached by his words: give us the courage to practice what we preach.
+ John baptized you in the Jordan and the Spirit of truth rested upon you: help us, Lord, to work for a world of truth, mercy and peace.
+ Lord, you called men to preach your word: send heralds to carry the gospel to the world.

God our Father, you appointed John the Baptist to be the herald of the birth and death of Christ your Son. Prepare us for his coming. Grant that as he died a martyr for truth and justice, so we also may courageously bear witness to your word. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“We’ve A Story To Tell To The Nations” – Larry Lawson

[Larry Lawson: This song is appropriate for today’s world crisis dealing with ISIS and the evil in their minds. I recorded this song as a demo several years ago. This is NOT CD release quality…but a demo recording I wanted to share during this time of Islamic terrorism. We must change their evil hearts and minds one way or another.]

Blessing

Christ with me, Christ in me.

Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left; Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down; Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me; Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.

Christ with me, Christ in me.

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