+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Proverbs 3:21 (NLT)
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them….
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Satan’s masterstroke of deceiving, dividing and diluting Christians in America is now paying off. He has fooled gullible Christians into helping kill America.
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I am not fretting over the fate of Christianity. I am fretting over my nation. I know Christianity will survive without America, but America will not survive without Christianity. America as you have known it will not survive Hillary Clinton.
When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
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Prayer for Discernment:
Sovereign God:
You alone hold the fate of America and its people in Your hand.
Hear my payer as I come before Your throne of grace on behalf of America and American believers – deliver us from evil and give us common sense and discernment when we vote for the next President of the United States.
+Deliver us from wicked people and policies – from lies, deceit, and corruption endemic to our government that are destroying America from within.
+ Deliver us from passivity in the face of the evil of abortion – the slaughter of millions of babies for personal convenience.
+ Deliver us from apathy and naiveté regarding the Supreme Court and the effect the next appointments of Supreme Court Justices will have on the future of America.
+ Deliver us from gullibility that makes moments of private vulgarity morally equivalent with a lifetime of public deceit and corruption.
Sovereign God:
You hold the future of America in Your hand. What will it be – redemption or judgement?
+ Raise up a mighty army of courageous believers who will choose redemption over judgement on November 8th.
+ Raise up a mighty army of courageous believers who will choose freedom over tyranny on November 8th.
+ Raise up a mighty army of courageous believers who will set aside false sensibilities and hurt feelings to stand in the gap against real, not imagined, evil on November 8th.
Sovereign God: Grab us and shake some common sense into us that every believer may vote, en masse, to stay Your hand of judgement – that a season of refreshment and rejoicing may come in America.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Revelation 2:1-7 (ESV) – to be read aloud
Ruins of the ancient Church of St. Mary in Ephesus – site of the proceedings of the Council of Ephesus in 431.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’”
Reflection
THE FIRST VISION – THE SEVEN LETTERS
To the Church in Ephesus
“Ephesus was the foremost city in Asia and home of the most important church in the province…. Ephesus was also the home of all kinds of superstitions and practices and was famous throughout the world for the magical arts (see Acts 19:19). It was founded by Aquila and Priscilla… firmly established by Paul’s preaching and teaching… and carried on later by Timothy and John. In the first years of the second century, Ignatius wrote the Ephesians a letter which praises them for their unity and blameless Christian conduct and for living in harmonious love.” (Ladd, p.37)
“I know your works…”
“The good works of the Ephesians consisted in their firm opposition to false teachers who had arisen in Ephesus and their steadfast refusal to be led away by their teachings…. Many itinerant preachers and teachers arose in the early church who claimed to be the mouthpiece of the Holy Spirit and to speak for God…. The church in Ephesus demonstrated the ability to distinguish between true and false teachers… and refused to tolerate the latter.” (Ladd, p.38-39)
“But I have this against you…”
“However, their struggle with false teachers… had had serious effects… and had led them to abandon the love they had at first. Here was a failure which undermined the very foundation of the Christian life…. Doctrinal purity and loyalty can never be a substitute for love.” (Ladd, p.39)
Remember, repent, return
“Christ calls them to come back in three steps: remember – look back to a time of greater intimacy with God; repent – make a break with evil; return – to what you did at first…. A church can continue only for so long on a loveless course… before it will cease to exist as a church.” (Morris, p.61)
“To the one who conquers…”
“The Christian life is an unrelenting warfare against the powers of evil…. The victory is analogous to the victory won by Christ himself, even though it involved his death on the cross…. The very martyrdom of the saints was their victory, for they had conquered every satanic effort to turn their loyalty and devotion away from Christ and had remained true…. Love and loyalty to Christ will conquer fear of suffering and death.” (Ladd, p.41)
Prayer
Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ: He hears the prayers of His children and holds the church in His hand – Lord, hear us.
+ Thank You for speaking to us through the prophets and apostles – that we might know You and love You with all our hearts…
+ Thank You for sending us Your Spirit, the Spirit of Truth – that we might discern truth from falsehood and remain true to Your Word…
+ Forgive us our battle-scarred, hardened hearts – that we might not become like the enemies of Truth…
+ Forgive us for being so focused on judgement for our enemies – that we no longer pray for their conversion…
+ Teach us how to love our enemies – that we might overcome evil with good…
+ Give us Your strength in our weakness – that we might have the courage to face our troubles and tribulations…
+ Direct our thoughts, our words, our actions today – that we may know, and do, your will…
+ Make wisdom our guide – that we might ever walk in newness of life…
I ask this for Your Name’s sake. Amen.
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Canticle
Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.
The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 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.
You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Morning readings
Psalm 119:121-128 NLT:
Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees. Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.
Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions. Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.
“King Solomon” Russian icon from first quarter of 18th cen. Iconostasis of Kizhi monastery, Russia
1 Kings 3:12-13 NLT:
I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!
Matthew 22:15-22 NLT:
Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
His reply amazed them, and they went away.
Reflection/Prayer:
O Lord, teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Time is short, and no one of us knows how little time he has left. May we be found using wisely our time, our talents, and our strength. (Peter Marshall)
Help us to know judgement and justice, Lord. When Your judgements come, then stand by me, and teach me Your statutes so I can understand what justice really is.
Lord, You know I am Your servant, so give me understanding. Protect me from deception. Give me wisdom. When people try to trick me or confuse me with their questions and clever arguments, help me to see their heart. Help me to know when to say nothing. Help me to know when to answer what they are saying. Help me to know when it is an unspoken question that I should be answering.
Teach me to recognize the moments when You wait to intervene, so I can say, ‘It is time – You work now, Lord!’
Canticle
Christ, as a light… illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield… overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.
The Peanut Gallery 