Tag: Friday of the First Week of Lent

Morning Prayer: Fri, 10 Mar – Psalm 55:1-2, 22; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:6-7 ~ live care-free

Friday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 55:1-2, 22 (NLT)

Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
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Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
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Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Reading: Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus: teach me how to live care-free, how to transform my worry into prayer.

+ You know how my day will unfold; watch over me as I live it out moment by moment.
+ You know the troubles that I bring with me; listen to me now as I give voice to them.
+ You know how easily I get sidetracked; guide me along the right path of godliness.
+ You know my frustration when things don’t go as I planned; humble me that I may find rest in you.

Lord Jesus: I’ve made it this far with your help. I can’t go it alone, but I can face the challenges ahead with you at my side. Thank you for your unfailing loving-kindness to me. Guard my heart and mind, and grant me your peace. Amen.
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“I cast all my cares upon You” – Joy Mcilwrath and Andrew Fynn


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Morning Prayer: 19 February – Matthew 5:20-26 ~ the high bar of righteousness

Friday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Ezekiel 18:31 (NLT)

Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Morning Reading: Matthew 5:20-26 (NLT)

“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Sin 1

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.

Morning Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ: you died on the cross that I might live. Lord, hear the longings of my heart.

+ In your living, you were the example of an abundant life – teach me to joyfully follow your lead.
+ In your dying, you brought me life – take away my sinful inclinations that I may continually choose life.
+ You call on me to feed the hungry – show me how to deny myself today to help others in their need.
+ End the rebellion within my heart – give me a spirit of generosity and willingness to share what I have.

Lord God, I accept from your hands this day of Lent; may I make it yours by deeds of love. Bend my will, Lord, so that by this Lenten observance I may be fully prepared to enter into the joy of Easter; renew me in body, mind and spirit. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Closer” – Bethel Live

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 27 Feb – Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26 ~ think, turn, live

Friday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

If your virtue does not surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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Master and Savior, You have taught me by Your life and renewed me by Your passion; do not allow me to grow used to sin. May I accept from Your hands this day of Lent; and may I make it Yours by deeds of love. End the rebellion within my heart; make me generous and willing to share. Lord Jesus, may Your death bring me to life. Bend my will, Lord, so that by this Lenten observance I may prepare myself to celebrate Easter; and may I be renewed in spirit. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Ezekiel 18:21-28 (NLT)

But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.

sin

“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins.

“Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die.
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Cast away from you all the transgressions you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 18:31)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:20-26 (NLT)

“But I warn you — unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

forgiveness 1

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
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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 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen