Advent Season | Wednesday 17 Dec 2025: Psalm 42; Zechariah 8:1-17; Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 ~ Jesus’ authority over evil spirits.

Advent Season | Wednesday 17 Dec 2025

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

Opening prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ,
you sent your messengers the prophets
to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation:
Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise make ready your way,
by turning the hearts of the disobedient
toward the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world,
we may be found a people acceptable in your sight;
for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Jesus cast out the evil spirits
with a simple command,
and he healed all the sick.”
(Matthew 8:16)

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From the Psalms: Psalm 42Poor Bishop Hooper

as the deer pants out for water
so my soul cries out oh god for you
my soul thirsts for god as water
when can i go out and meet with you

day and night i have only
fear for my food and tears for my drink

my heart it breaks remembering
your house oh god and the joy of the crowds thanksgiving

where is this god of yours i hear them saying
where is this god of yours i hear them saying

oh god my soul sits in despair
awaiting the lord the help of your presence
deep calls to deep at the breakers sound
waves over me the tide the tumult the sea

where is this god of yours i hear them saying
where is this god of yours i hear them saying

oh lord god my rock why have you forgot
why must I wander in my sorrow
enemies they taunt words with pain and rot
questions all day long where has your god gone

where is this god of yours i hear them saying
my hope is in you still

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OT Reading: Zechariah 8:1-17 (NLT)

Promised Blessings for Jerusalem

8:1 Then another message came to me from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!

“And now the Lord says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be called the Holy Mountain.

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west. I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building. Before the work on the Temple began, there were no jobs and no money to hire people or animals. No traveler was safe from the enemy, for there were enemies on all sides. I had turned everyone against each other.

“But now I will not treat the remnant of my people as I treated them before, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. For I am planting seeds of peace and prosperity among you. The grapevines will be heavy with fruit. The earth will produce its crops, and the heavens will release the dew. Once more I will cause the remnant in Judah and Israel to inherit these blessings. Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!

“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: I was determined to punish you when your ancestors angered me, and I did not change my mind, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But now I am determined to bless Jerusalem and the people of Judah. So don’t be afraid. But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”

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Ha Bracha (The Blessing in Hebrew) at The Tower of David JerusalemHila Ben David

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NT Reading: Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 (NLT)

Jesus Heals Many People

8:14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,

“He took our sicknesses
and removed our diseases.”

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

8:28 When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area.

They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.

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Majesty Worship His Majesty | Ron Kenoly | A Sanctuary For You

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP 2019

Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health: We implore your mercy for those who are sick, that by your blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them with your healing gifts, they may be restored to health of body, mind and spirit, according to your gracious will, and may give thanks to you in your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God: We pray for deliverance – and speak the Name of Jesus – over every person suffering from the torment of demonic spirits; deliver them from evil; and restore them to strength of mind and cheerfulness of spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem: Protect your people from the machinations of the evil one; and grant Israel’s leaders your heavenly wisdom, and the courage to do what’s right in your sight. Unite all your people around the common goal of restoration and peace, that they might return to you – the one true God – through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the Lord, when he comes,
find us watching and waiting.

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

After Pentecost | Monday 01 Jul 2024: Psalm 18:1-6, 43-50; 1 Samuel 23:14-18; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 ~ Do what’s right before God and man.

After Pentecost | Monday 01 Jul 2024

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

Opening:

O God, your never-failing providence
sets in order all things both in heaven and on earth:
Put away from us all hurtful things,
and give us those things that are profitable for us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“We intend to do what is right,
not only in the sight of the Lord,
but also in the sight of people.”
(2 Corinthians 8:21)

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From Psalms: Psalm 18 – “I Call Upon The Lord” | Abe & Liza Philip

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OT Reading: 1 Samuel 23:14-18 (GW)

23:14 David lived in fortified camps in the desert, and he lived in fortified camps in the mountains of the desert of Ziph. Saul was always searching for him, but God didn’t let him capture David.

David in the Desert of Ziph

23:15 David was afraid because  Saul had come to kill him at Horesh in the desert of Ziph. Saul’s son Jonathan came to David at Horesh. He strengthened David’s ⌞faith⌟ in the Lord. “Don’t be afraid,” he told David, “my father Saul won’t find you. You will rule Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this.” Both of them made a pledge in the Lord’s presence. David stayed in Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

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“All That We Have”Manny Lapingcao / Offertory Song

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NT Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (GW)

8:16 I thank God for making Titus as dedicated to you as I am. He accepted my request and eagerly went to visit you by his own free will.

With him we have sent our Christian brother whom all the churches praise for the way he tells the Good News. More than that, the churches elected him to travel with us and bring this gift of God’s kindness. We are administering it in a way that brings glory to the Lord and shows that we are doing it willingly. We don’t want anyone to find fault with the way we are administering this generous gift. We intend to do what is right, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people.

We have also sent with them our Christian brother whom we have often tested in many ways and found to be a dedicated worker. We find that he is much more dedicated now than ever because he has so much confidence in you.

If any questions are raised, remember that Titus is my partner and coworker to help you. The other men are representatives of the churches and bring glory to Christ. So give these men a demonstration of your love. Show their congregations that we were right to be proud of you.

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I Surrender All | Parkway Worship Ministry

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

William Temple
+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our  wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your  glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the Oct 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Thomas à Kempis
+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Saturday 29 Jun 2024: Psalm 130; 1 Samuel 20:27-42; Luke 4:31-37 ~ Jesus’ authority over evil spirits.

After Pentecost | Saturday 29 Jun 2024

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

Opening:

Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
Graft in our hearts the love of your Name,
increase in us true faith and practice,
nourish us with all goodness,
and bring forth in us the fruit of good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“What kind of command is this?
With authority and power he gives orders
to evil spirits, and they come out.”

(Luke 4:36)

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From Psalms: Psalm 130 – “Wait for You – Psalm 130” | Ellie Holcomb

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OT Reading: 1 Samuel 20:27-42 (GW)

20:27 But on the second day of the month, David’s place was still empty.

Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t Jesse’s son come to the meal either yesterday or today?”

Jonathan answered Saul, “David repeatedly begged me ⌞to let him go⌟ to Bethlehem. David said to me ‘Please let me go. Our relatives will offer a sacrifice in the city, and my brother ordered me to be there. If you will permit it, please let me go to see my brothers.’ This is why he hasn’t come to your banquet.”

Then Saul got angry with Jonathan. “Son of a crooked and rebellious woman!” he called Jonathan. “I know you’ve sided with Jesse’s son. You have no shame. ⌞You act⌟ as if you are your mother’s son but not mine. As long as Jesse’s son lives on earth, neither you nor your right to be king is secure. Now, send some men to bring him to me. He’s a dead man!”

Jonathan asked his father, “Why should he be killed? What has he done?”

Saul raised his spear to strike him. Then Jonathan knew his father was determined to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table very angry and ate nothing that second day of the month. He was worried sick about David because Jonathan had been humiliated by his own father.

In the morning Jonathan went out to the country to the place he and David had agreed on. Jonathan had a young boy with him. “Run,” he told the boy, “please find the arrows I shoot.”

The boy ran, and Jonathan shot the arrow over him. When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow ⌞had landed⌟, Jonathan called after him, “The arrows are next to you!” Jonathan added, “Quick! Hurry up! Don’t stand there!” Jonathan’s young servant gathered the arrows and came to his master. The boy had no idea what was going on, but Jonathan and David understood. Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy. He told the boy, “Take them back into town.”

When the boy had left, David came out from the south side ⌞of the rock⌟ and quickly bowed down three times with his face touching the ground. Then they kissed each other and cried together, but David cried the loudest.

“Go in peace!” Jonathan told David. “We have both taken an oath in the Lord’s name, saying, ‘The Lord will be ⌞a witness⌟ between me and you and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’ ”

So David left, and Jonathan went into the city.

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Be Not Afraid by Catholic Artists from Home / Salt + Light Media

v1. You shall cross the barren desert
but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety
though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words to foreign lands
and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

R. Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow Me
and I will give you rest.

v2. If you pass through raging waters
in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amidst the burning flames
you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you, through it all. /R

v.3 Blessed are your poor
for the Kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn
for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you
all because of Me,
blessed, blessed are you! /R

v.4 And when the earth has turned beneath you
and your voice is seldom heard.
When the flood of gifts that blessed your life
has long since ebbed away.
When your mind is thick and hope is thin
and dark is all around,
I will stand beside you till the dawn. /R

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NT Reading: Luke 4:31-37 (GW)

Jesus Forces an Evil Spirit out of a Man

4:31 Jesus went to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and taught them on a day of rest—a holy day. The people were amazed at his teachings because he spoke with authority.

In the synagogue was a man possessed by a spirit, an evil demon. He shouted very loudly, “Oh, no! What do you want with us, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

Jesus ordered the spirit, “Keep quiet, and come out of him!” The demon threw the man down in the middle of the synagogue and came out without hurting him.

Everyone was stunned. They said to one another, “What kind of command is this? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits, and they come out.”

So news about him spread to every place throughout the surrounding region.

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MajestyMaranatha! Music / Jesus Christ is my Lord

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

For Spiritual Protection

+ Father, I pray that You will protect me from the evil one. I pray that You will be a shield about me, behind, beneath, and  above. Help me to detect Satan’s wiles, his deceitful ways, and his suggestions. I confess my sins and receive Your forgiveness that I might be clean before You. May there be no evil crevice within my soul that gives Satan permission to  tempt or harass me. Put a cloud of glory between me and Satan.

+ I pray for all who are struggling with spiritual oppression that they might be protected from Satan’s designs. Put distance  between them and sin; place Your Spirit between them and the deceptions of the flesh. Protect them from pornography,  from sexual temptations, and lies that permeate our culture. Protect them from evil people, from those who would deceive,  manipulate, or even destroy. Deliver us from all evil, I pray. I trust Your Word to do as You have promised.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For the Peace of Jerusalem

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the Oct 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

For The Acceptance of Prayer

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions,  we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son  Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

Epiphany Season | Wednesday 07 Feb 2024: Psalm 102:12-28; Job 6:1-13; Mark 3:7-12 ~ Jesus’ authority over evil spirits.

Epiphany Season | Wednesday 07 Feb 2024

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

Opening:

O Lord, our heavenly Father,
keep your household the Church
continually in true faith and practice,
that we who trust in the hope of your heavenly grace
may always be defended by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.

Whenever people with evil spirits saw [Jesus],
they would fall down in front of him
and shout, “You are the Son of God!”
(Mark 3:11)

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From Psalms: Psalm 102 Poor Bishop Hooper

hear my prayer god and let my cry
of help come to you do not hide
listen closely to me in the day of my distress
my days consumed in smoke my bones they like a furnace

indeed i forget to eat
i can’t sleep my bones cling to my flesh
and mingled with my drink is my weeping
for i have eaten ashes like my bread

my days are like a shadow i wither like the grass
but you abide forever arise in compassion
be gracious now to zion the appointed time has come
your servants surely pity her find pleasure in her stones

indeed i forget to eat
i can’t sleep my bones cling to my flesh
and mingled with my drink is my weeping
for i have eaten ashes like my bread

oh let it be written for those to come
a people yet created may praise the lord
he looked down from his heights he gazed to earth from heaven
to hear the prisoner’s cry set free those doomed to die
so that they might praise him

long ago you made the earth the heavens are your work
even they will perish lord but you will endure
you’ll change them like a garment as robes they’ll pass away
but you are the same but you are the same

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OT Reading: Job 6:1-13 (GW

Job Speaks: God Has Attacked Me Without Cause

6:1 Then Job replied ⌞to his friends⌟,

“If only my grief could be weighed,
if only my misery could be laid on the scales with it,
then they would be heavier than the sand of the seas.
I spoke carelessly
because the arrows of the Almighty ⌞have found their target⌟ in me,
and my spirit is drinking their poison.
God’s terrors line up in battle against me.

“Does a wild donkey bray when it’s ⌞eating⌟ grass,
or does an ox make a sound over its hay?
Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
I refuse to touch such things.
They are disgusting to me.

“How I wish that my prayer would be answered—
that God would give me what I’m hoping for,
that God would ⌞finally⌟ be willing to crush me,
that he would reach out to cut me off.
Then I would still have comfort.
I would be happy despite my endless pain,
because I have not rejected the words of the Holy One.
What strength do I have ⌞left⌟ that I can go on hoping?
What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life?
Do I have the strength of rocks?
Does my body have the strength of bronze?
Am I not completely helpless?
Haven’t my skills been taken away from me?

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Jewish prayer for the hostages | Pray with us for Israel

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NT Reading: Mark 3:7-12 (GW)

Many People Are Cured

3:7 Jesus left with his disciples for the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and from across the Jordan River, and from around Tyre and Sidon followed him. They came to him because they had heard about everything he was doing. Jesus told his disciples to have a boat ready so that the crowd would not crush him. He had cured so many that everyone with a disease rushed up to him in order to touch him. Whenever people with evil spirits saw him, they would fall down in front of him and shout, “You are the Son of God!” He gave them orders not to tell people who he was.

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I Speak Jesus / Newsboys

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God of heavenly powers, by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies all sickness and infirmity: Be present in your goodness with your servants (especially in the Middle East), that our weaknesses may be banished and our strength restored; and that, our health being renewed, we may bless your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we pray for swift and total victory over all evil in the Holy Land. Bring home the hostages, and deliver from bondage every person captivated by the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East. And finally, grant heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, diplomatically, and especially to those who will restore Israel spiritually, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance,  nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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