Tag: I have a greater witness than John — my teachings and my miracles.

Morning Prayer: Fri, 16 Dec – Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7; Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8; John 5:33-36 ~ saving power for all

Friday in the Third Week of Advent

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

Opening Sentence – (In the preparation days of Celtic Advent)

+ We have waited long for You. Deep has been our darkness.
+ We long for You to shine right here among us where we are.
+ We will not fear the shadows that surround us if only You will come among us!
+ We wait for the sound of a cry in the night, the joy that follows pain, the coming of hope.
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Reading: Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7 (NLT)

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
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May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.
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Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.
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Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says:

“Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.

“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will never let me be part of his people.’ And don’t let the eunuchs say, ‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’
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prayer-for-all-nations

“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. For the Sovereign Lord, who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says: I will bring others, too, besides my people Israel.”
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Reading: John 5:33-36 (NLT)

In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.

+ Remind us of all that you have done for us in the past.
+ Prepare us for all that you have for us in the future.
+ May this Advent and Christmas season refresh our faith and trust in you.

Lord Jesus Christ: May your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

+ You are the Sun of Righteousness who comes to heal and rescue us.
+ You are the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to all who love and serve you.
+ May your presence among us, during this Advent and Christmas season, fill your people with joy and may your church become a house of prayer for all nations.

Holy Spirit: May the miracle of the Word made flesh awaken us to the power of your presence among us today.

+ You rain down signs and wonders from above on the old and the young.
+ You come with fire and burn within the souls of all who call on your name.
+ May we surrender to your glory, during this Advent and Christmas season, and become immersed in your mercy and love.
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“Open Heaven” – Hillsong Worship


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Blessing

Make your heart ready for the King of Glory to come in. Pray: come dwell in me and be my peace today.

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

Morning Prayer: 10 March – John 5:31-47 ~ The Scriptures point to me!

Thursday of the Fourth 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: John 5:31-47 (NLT)

“If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. But I have a greater witness than John — my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me. And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me — the one he sent to you.

search the scriptures

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

“Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.

“Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, heavenly Father, for your loving kindness, which is revealed to me in Jesus Christ. Remember, Lord, that I am your child.

+ Lead me more deeply into the life of your people; make me a clearer sign of your saving presence.
+ Lover of mankind, help me to play my part in my civic community; make me a kingdom builder in every way.
+ Bear my burdens and lighten my load; you, Lord, are the spring of living water who refreshes me.
+ Forgive the harm that I have done; create in me a clean heart and guide me in the path of justice and truth.

Compassionate Lord, remember that I am your child. Teach me what is true, and make me realize what is wrong in my life. Correct me when I am are wrong and teach me to do what is right. Grant me purity of heart that I may abide in your Word, and joyfully enter into the celebration of Easter. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Christ In Me Arise” – Trevor Thomson

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!