Morning Prayer: Tuesday, 27 June – Acts 8:26-40 ~ Good News for a God-fearing Ethiopian

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Draw me close, Holy Spirit, as I read the Scriptures and reflect on your Word. Let the word of faith be on my lips and in my heart, and let all other words slip away. May there be one voice I hear today — the voice of truth and grace. Amen.
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Reading: Acts 8:4-25 (NLT)

As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”

Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.
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Reflection and Prayer:

Lord God: Guide me by your Spirit to those you have already prepared to receive the Good News of your Son, Jesus Christ.

+ Give me courage to open a conversation with those I meet.
+ Give me discernment to understand the yearning of their hearts.
+ Give me wisdom to explain how Jesus can fulfill their deepest needs.
+ Give me clarity to invite them to begin a relationship with Jesus.

Lord God: Jesus is the vine and I am but one branch. Prune me as necessary; let his life flow in me and through me, that I may produce the good fruit of your Kingdom in his name – all for your glory.
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“Take Me To The River” – Desperation Band

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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 121 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: 01 May – Acts 13:26-33; John 14:1-6 ~ only one way to the Father

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

I am going now to prepare a place for you, and I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you also may be. Alleluia.
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Lord, give me life through Your Holy Spirit.

+ Father, You accepted the sacrifice of Your Son, raising Him from the dead – receive my morning offering and lead me to eternal life.
+ Reveal Your presence in my work this day – may I do everything for Your glory and for the consecration of our world.
+ Do not allow my work to come to nothing – let it serve my neighbor and advance Your Kingdom.
+ Open my eyes to see my neighbor’s need – warm my heart that I may offer him/her my love.

Lord, give me life through Your Holy Spirit.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 13:26-33 (NLT)

“Brothers — you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles — this message of salvation has been sent to us! The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath. They found no legal reason to execute him, but they asked Pilate to have him killed anyway.

“When they had done all that the prophecies said about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead! And over a period of many days he appeared to those who had gone with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to the people of Israel.

“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus. This is what the second psalm says about Jesus: ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’
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I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:1-6 (NLT)

Way of The Cross Ely Cathedral — Way of The Cross
Ely Cathedral

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
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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

First Sunday of Lent: Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15 ~ repent and believe

First Sunday of Lent

Today, all over the world, people are beginning their preparation period for baptism at Easter. We too look forward to renewing our baptismal vows on the celebration of Easter.

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

Opening prayer:

God of the covenant, as the forty days of deluge swept away the world’s corruption and watered new beginnings of righteousness and life, so in the saving flood of baptism your people are washed clean and born again. Throughout these forty days, we beg you, unseal for us the wellspring of your grace, cleanse our hearts of all that is not holy, and cause your gift of new life to flourish once again. Grant this through Christ, our liberator from sin, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament:Genesis 9:8-15 (NLT)

Then God told Noah and his sons, “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants, and with all the animals that were on the boat with you — the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals — every living creature on earth. Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 25:4-9 (NLT)

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Pt 3:18-22 (NLT)

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison — those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
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One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:12-15 (NLT)

repentance

The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
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Intercessions:

As we begin our lenten journey toward Easter, let us remember all those in need.

+ For Christian leaders throughout the world — we pray…. Lord, hear us.
+ For peace and reconciliation, particularly in the Middle East and Africa — we pray…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians suffering persecution, particularly in the Middle East and Africa — we pray…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the hungry, the poor, the displaced, and the homeless — we pray…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died recently – we particularly remember our Egyptian Coptic brothers in faith: +Milad Makeen Zaky +Abanub Ayad Atiya +Maged Solaimain Shehata +Yusuf Shukry Yunan +Kirollos Shokry Fawzy +Bishoy Astafanus Kamel +Somaily Astafanus Kamel +Malak Ibrahim Sinweet +Tawadros Yusuf Tawadros +Girgis Milad Sinweet +Mina Fayez Aziz +Hany Abdelmesih Salib +Bishoy Adel Khalaf +Samuel Alham Wilson +Ezat Bishri Naseef +Loqa Nagaty +Gaber Munir Adly +Esam Badir Samir +Malak Farag Abram +Sameh Salah Faruq +And the one whose name we do not know, a “Worker from Awr village.” Lord, hear us.

God of goodness, You have shown love from the dawn of creation; make us know Your ways and strengthen us on our journey to Easter, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

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

Morning Prayer: 16 Jan – Heb 4:1-5, 11; Mk 2:1-12 ~ the promise of rest

Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentences:

I am the Lord, there is no other. I have not spoken secretly, in some dark corner of the earth…. Turn to me and you will be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, there is no other. (Isaiah 45)

A Reading from Letters: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 (NLT)

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news — that God has prepared this rest — has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,

“In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”
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So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 2:1-12 (NLT)

The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof James Tissot, ca. 1886-94 The Brooklyn Museum — The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof
James Tissot, ca. 1886-94
The Brooklyn Museum

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

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

Morning Prayer: 12 Jan – Heb 1:1-6; Mk 1:14-20 ~ God has spoken

Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening sentences:

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

A Reading from Letters: Hebrews 1:1-6 (NLT)

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”

God also said, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”

And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.”

A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:14-20 (NLT)

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
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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.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

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

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