Morning Prayer
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Prayer
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord,
Reading: Acts 3:12-26 (NLT)
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’
“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
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Reflection & Prayer:
Lord Jesus: apart from you, we can do nothing; hold us close to your heart that we may feel secure in your love, and trust you in all things.
Give us eyes to see the world around us as you do; show us what the Father would have us do, and give us the boldness to ask him for anything in your name.
Thank you for the presence of your Spirit in our lives; empower us to bear witness to the saving power of your name. To you belongs all glory and honor, power and strength for ever and ever. Amen.
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“To Him who Sits on the Throne” – The Acappella Company
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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 40:8-9 (NLT)
“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart. I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out….”
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 