Tag: Daily Reading

Morning Prayer: Saturday, 10 June – Acts 4:13-22 ~ can’t do anything else

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord.

Reading: Acts 4:13-22 (NLT)

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves.

“What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.
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A Sunday Morning Prayer for Preachers:

O Word of Grace and Challenge, I pray for each one who preaches this coming Sunday:

+ For the preacher who gets up full of inspiration and energy, give him grace and humility.

+ For the one who enters the pulpit with pain in body and spirit that must be overcome, give him healing and courage.

+ For the preacher who faces the challenge of a congregation that is splintered and fractious, give him peace from his own anxiety and from theirs.

+ For the preacher whose faithful presence is still met with mistrust and judgement, give him trust and confidence in Your power in him.

+ For the preacher to a community that is devastated by trauma–flood, tornado, government closure, violence – give him hope and give him strength.

+ For the preacher who longs to cast a vision of justice and mercy for the city, the nation, the world, give him imagination and passion.

+ For the preacher whose own well of Spirit is dry and dusty, give him life giving streams of love and energy.

+ For the one who is weary of well doing, give him fresh grace and bread for this day.

+ For those who long to preach, but have no place to do so formally, may they find that along with St. Francis that there are many ways to preach, even without words.

+ And for all hearers of the Word this coming Sunday, provide them with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to receive good news, hidden things that they have not known.

By your Spirit, I commend these all to you, Amen.
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“”Salvation Has Been Brought Down”” – Praise And Harmony


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Concluding Prayer – 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 (NLT)

Preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! …I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Friday, 09 June – Acts 4:1-12 ~ no other name

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord,

Reading: Acts 4:1-12 (NLT)

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.

The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,

‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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“No Other Name” – Hillsong Worship

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 118:1, 22-23, 29 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
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The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Thursday, 08 June – Acts 3:12-26 ~ faith in the name of Jesus

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord,

Reading: Acts 3:12-26 (NLT)

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’

“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: apart from you, we can do nothing; hold us close to your heart that we may feel secure in your love, and trust you in all things.

Give us eyes to see the world around us as you do; show us what the Father would have us do, and give us the boldness to ask him for anything in your name.

Thank you for the presence of your Spirit in our lives; empower us to bear witness to the saving power of your name. To you belongs all glory and honor, power and strength for ever and ever. Amen.
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“To Him who Sits on the Throne” – The Acappella Company

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 40:8-9 (NLT)

“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out….”
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Wednesday, 07 June – Acts 3:1-11 ~ I’ll give you what I have

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord,

Reading: Acts 3:1-11 (NLT)

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Merciful God: you give us what we need, not necessarily what we expect or want. Help us to discern the difference, and give us the grace to gratefully accept all that we receive from your hand.

Work your wonders in us and through us that we may become your hands of blessing to others. Expand our understanding of the immeasurable inheritance that we have received from you; with you nothing is impossible.

Abide in us that we may draw life and light from you through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Silver and Gold Have I None” – Cerdarmont Kids

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 36:5-6,10 (NLT)

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.
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Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Tuesday, 06 June – Acts 2:42-47 ~ life together

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord.

Reading: Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
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Reflection and Prayer:

Lord Jesus: you are the head and we are the body, revive your church and fill us with the same love and passion as the early believers.

+ Give us a persistent hunger for your word – that our lives may be conformed to your teaching.
+ Give us a sincere love for one another – that we may seek opportunities to befriend and serve one another.
+ Give us a passion for unity – that we may set aside our differences and eat together at a common table.
+ Give us a lifestyle of prayer – that you may constantly be on our hearts and minds, guiding what we do and say.

Holy Spirit: fall again on your church throughout the world.

+ Manifest your presence among us through signs and wonders.
+ Make us a generous, freely-giving people that take care of one another.
+ Transform our worship from religious ritual to joy-filled praise in your presence.
+ Keep us in the world as respected citizens and gracious ambassadors of your Kingdom.

Heavenly Father: we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Come People of the Risen King” – Keith and Kristyn Getty


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 31:19 (NLT)

How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!