Tag: Finian Readings

Morning Prayer: Fri, 14 Oct – Psalm 119:81-88; Judges 6:11-14; Hebrews 12:11-12 ~ get a grip and straighten up

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:81-88 (NLT)

I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?

I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.

In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws.

Reading: Judges 6:11-14 (NLT)

Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

new-grip-and-straighten-up

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

Reading: Hebrews 12:11-12 (NLT)

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.

Prayer

Faithful God: Thank You for another day! Thank You for my life and the purpose You have given me. Thank You for Your Word and Spirit. Refresh my spirit – I come before You feeling tired and weak.

+ Fill me with joy – that I may rejoice in Your goodness no matter how tired I am.
+ Enfold me in Your unfailing love – that I may not be overcome by fear or anxiety.
+ Strengthen me and all who are feeling tired or empty – that we may not complain in our weakness.
+ Restore our minds and align our thinking with Your word – that we may still function properly.
+ Empower our bodies with Your Spirit that we may have the energy needed to get through the day.
+ Give us the wisdom to let go of those things that drain us and get the rest we need.

Merciful God: I ask for Your healing presence in my life and in the lives of all who are feeling tired and weak. We lay our lives down at Your throne and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“You Are My Strength” – Hillsong

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Thu, 13 Oct – Psalm 119:79-80; 2 Kings 10:15; Galatians 6:10 ~ do something good

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:79-80 (NLT)

Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws. May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed.

Reading: 2 Kings 10:15 (NLT)

Evangelical Christian prays for Donald Trump in Florida
Evangelical Christian prays for Donald Trump in Florida

When Jehu left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab, who was coming to meet him. After they had greeted each other, Jehu said to him, “Are you as loyal to me as I am to you?”

“Yes, I am,” Jehonadab replied.

“If you are,” Jehu said, “then give me your hand.” So Jehonadab put out his hand, and Jehu helped him into the chariot.

Reading: Galatians 6:10 (NLT)

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Prayer

It is your business and others’ to go forth, confronting them face to face, for that is the only way of bringing them to Me. For when you are face to face with them, you love them, and once you love them, then I can speak through you.

From Molchanie
by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

His love that burns inside me
impels me on the road
to seek for Christ in the stranger’s face
or feel the absence of His touch.

(Aidan)

Holy Spirit: Show me how to do good (a word or an action) to every one I meet today. Amen.

“Do Something Good – Today” – Russian video that shows some every day heroes.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Wed, 12 Oct – Psalm 119:73-78; Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:25-26 ~ made by God

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:73-78 (NLT)

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.  Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NLT)

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

clay-in-potters-hands

Then the Lord gave me this message:  “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Reading: Romans 8:25-26 (NLT)

If we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Prayer

O God, forgive the poverty and pettiness of our prayers. Listen not to our words, but to the yearning of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need. (Peter Marshall)

I cannot speak, unless You loose my tongue; I only stammer, and I speak uncertainly; but if You touch my mouth, my Lord, then I will sing of Your wonders!

I have a dream that all the world will meet You, and know You, Jesus, in Your living power, that someday soon all people everywhere will hear Your story, and hear it in a way they understand.

So many who have heard forget to tell the story.

Here am I, my Jesus: teach me. (Caedmon)

“The Potter’s Hand” – Hillsong

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Tue, 11 Oct – Psalm 119:65-72; Genesis 37:23-24, 50:20; Acts 5:29-39 ~ time will tell

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:65-72 (NLT)

You have done many good things for me, Lord , just as you promised. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.

Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions. My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

Reading: Genesis 37:23-24; 50:20 (NLT)

74585-from-the-bottom-of-the-well_view

So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
_____

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Reading: Acts 5:29-39 (NLT)

But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

Prayer for Those in Trouble

We hold before God:
those for whom life is very difficult;
those who have difficult decisions to make, and
who honestly do not know what is the right thing to do.

We hold before God:
those who have difficult tasks to do and to face, and
who fear they may fail in them;
those who have difficult temptations to face, and
those who know only too well that they may fall to them,
if they try to meet them alone.

We hold before God:
those who know that they can be their own worst enemies.

We hold before God:
those who have difficult people to work with;
those who have to suffer unjust treatment, unfair
criticism, unappreciated work.

We hold before God:
those who are sad because someone they loved has died;
and any who are disappointed in something for which they hoped very much.

Reveal to us your intended purpose in our struggles – that we may bless your name at all times. In Jesus’ name.

“Blessed Be Your Name” – Matt Redman

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Mon, 10 Oct – Psalm 119:57-64; Ezekiel 37:2-4; Romans 8:19-23 ~ come alive!

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and 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.

Reading: Psalm 119:57-64 (NLT)

Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.

I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations. I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments.

O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees.

Reading: Ezekiel 37:2-4 (NLT)

“The Vision of The Valley of The Dry Bones”
by Gustave Doré, 1886

He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”

“O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”

Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!

Reading: Romans 8:19-23 (NLT)

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

Prayer

The earth is full of Your steadfast love, but now teach me Your commands. It is me that is out of step, out of tune, discordant and jarring.

+ Help me to find my place in Your purpose, O God, may I be receptive and open to Your direction and inspiration.
+ All creation waits in excited expectation for me to assume my destiny, for which I was created, and stand as a “son of God.”

May I hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man.

“Come Alive (Dry Bones)” – Lauren Daigle – Live from the CentricWorship Retreat

Through the eyes of men it seems | There’s so much we have lost | As we look down the road | Where all the prodigals have walked | One by one | The enemy has whispered lies | And led them off as slaves

But we know that you are God | Yours is the victory | We know there is more to come | That we may not yet see | So with the faith you’ve given us | We’ll step into the valley unafraid, yeah

As we call out to dry bones | Come alive, come alive | We call out to dead hearts | Come alive, come alive | Up out of the ashes | Let us see an army rise | We call out to dry bones, come alive

God of endless mercy | God of unrelenting love | Rescue every daughter | Bring us back the wayward son | And By your spirit breathe upon them | Show the world that you alone can save | You alone can save

So breathe, oh breath of God | Now breathe, oh breath of God | Breathe, oh breath of God | Now breathe | Breathe, oh breath of God | Now breathe, oh breath of God | Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!