Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:33-40; Isaiah 53:3; John 8:43-46 ~ no reproach

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

Psalm 119:33-40 ESV:

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

Isaiah 53:3 ESV:

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

John 8:43-46 ESV:

Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

Reflection/Prayer:

Turn away, O God, the reproach I fear. It can matter a lot what other people say, those who speak wrongfully against me.

Who steals my purse steals trash,
’tis something, nothing,
’twas mine, ’tis his,
and has been slave to thousands.

But he that filches from me my good name
steals that which not enriches him,
and leaves me poor indeed.
Iago from ‘Othello’

Even in the poverty of reproach Christ can meet us, and He is all in all.

Thou, Lord, alone, art all Thy children need
and there is none beside;
from Thee the streams of blessedness proceed;
in Thee the blest abide.
Fountain of life and all-abounding grace,
our source, our center and our dwelling place!
Mme Guyon

Spiritual Song: “Give to the Wind Thy Fears” – Hanna Jackson Gronseth

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 peace of 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

Peanut Gallery: The Morning Prayer readings are from the Daily Office of the Northumbrian Community as available online here… and in the book form, Celtic Daily Prayer available on Amazon.com.

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9; Habakuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10 ~ faithful witness

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 (NLT)

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.

A Reading from the Prophet Habakuk: Habakuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4 (NLT)

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.

Then the Lord said to me,

“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God….”

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 (NLT)

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me — a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke: Luke 17:5-10 (NLT)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

Intercessions:

Creator God, Maker of heaven and earth, hear the cries of my heart:

For those called to witness to Christ in today’s world, that the Spirit may fill them…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For the success of the Mission of the Church, that Christians may embrace the Gospel and spread its message of mercy, forgiveness and hope…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For all who received the Holy Spirit at Baptism and Confirmation, that the same Spirit may sustain them in difficult moments…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For people who want so much to believe, but find it hard, that a strong faith may grow in them…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For respect for human life, from its beginnings to its last moments: that the life of every person may be valued and protected…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For people who feel so crushed by life that they wish to end it, that they may feel the love of God and know they are never alone…. Lord, hear my prayer.
For the dead, those who died during the week and those whose anniversaries occur; and for all who have died in Christ and are part of God’s flock forever…. Lord, hear my prayer.

O God you are our rock, you made us and know all our needs, listen to our prayers and respond according to your Kingdom purposes, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Christ Is Enough for Me” – Hillsong United

Christ is my reward / And all of my devotion / Now there’s nothing in this world / That could ever satisfy / Through every trial / My soul will sing / No turning back / I’ve been set free

Christ is enough for me / Christ is enough for me / Everything I need is in You / Everything I need

Christ my all in all / The joy of my salvation / And this hope will never fail / Heaven is my home / Through every storm / My soul will sing / Jesus is here / To God be the glory

I have decided to follow Jesus / No turning back / No turning back / The cross before me / The world behind me / No turning back / No turning back

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

Morning Prayer: Psalm 119:5-8; Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ~ impart life

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

You will find the Lord your God, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Morning readings

"Book of Kells" - Christ Enthroned Trinity College, Dublin — “Book of Kells” – Christ Enthroned
Trinity College, Dublin

Psalm 119:5-8 ESV:

“Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!”

Nehemiah 8:8 ESV:

“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV:

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Reflection/Prayer:

The one with the gift of making things clear brings understanding and imparts life.

The rules are there for your protection and you know they make sense. People break rules, and are damaged in consequence. How we need to explain, to help others understand! People need the Lord. We can encourage them to find God and His ways in their life. What He has done for us He can do for them too.

We can be part of the process, fully given to the purpose of the Lord Christ.

An old Celtic song expresses it this way:

As You reach out to bless mankind, I feel Your embrace drawing me close. I rise with You, dear Jesus, and You rise with me.

Spiritual Song: “You’re the Word of God the Father” – Stuart Townend

You’re the Word of God the Father / From before the world began. Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet / Has been fashioned by Your hand. All creation holds together / By the power of Your voice. / Let the skies declare Your glory; Let the land and seas rejoice!

You’re the Author of creation; You’re the Lord of ev’ry man; And Your cry of love rings out across the lands.

Yet You left the gaze of angels, Came to seek and save the lost, And exchanged the joy of heaven / For the anguish of a cross. With a prayer You fed the hungry; With a word You stilled the sea; Yet how silently You suffered / That the guilty may go free!

With a shout You rose victorious, Wresting vict’ry from the grave, And ascended into heaven, Leading captives in Your way. Now You stand before the Father, Interceding for Your own; From each tribe and tongue and nation, You are leading sinners home!

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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

Morning Prayer: Psalm 31:14-16; Exodus 3:14-15; Revelation 22:13 ~ I Am

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Morning readings

Psalm 31:14-16 ESV:

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.

Exodus 3:14-15 ESV:

God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors — the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.

This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.

Spiritual song: “Great I Am” – New Life Worship

Revelation 22:13 ESV:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Reflection: “In The Present Moment” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Hurry is an unpleasant thing in itself, but also very unpleasant for whoever is around it. Some people came into my room and rushed in and rushed out and even when they were there they were not there – they were in the moment ahead or the moment behind. Some people who came in just for a moment were all there, completely in that moment.

Live from day-to-day, just from day-to-day. If you do so, you worry less and live more richly. If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly in those moments.

I do not think, it is lack of time that keeps me from doing things, it is that I do not want enough to do them.

The-archangel Michael defeating satan Guido Reni (1635) — The-archangel Michael defeating satan
Guido Reni (1635)

Prayer: Michael and the angels

Holy Michael, archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down to Hell Satan and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen

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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

_____________________________________

The website and prayer book are rich in prayer resources and I commend them to you. For our purpose here, I will limit my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 146:7-10; Amos 6:1A, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31 ~ pursue godliness

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

Opening sentence: God of justice and mercy – as I approach Your throne of grace, I am reminded of my unworthiness and confess my sin before You…. Please forgive me.

You raise the dead to life in the Spirit… You bring pardon and peace to the sinner… You bring light to those in darkness… and You forgive all who cry out to You. Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 146:7-10 (NLT)

He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord!

A Reading from the Prophet Amos: Amos 6:1a, 4-7 (NLT)

What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem….

How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds and lounge on your couches, eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock and of choice calves fattened in the stall. You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David. You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.

You care nothing about the ruin of your nation. Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your parties will end.

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NLT)

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke: Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’

“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’

“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’

“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Intercessions:

Lord God – You provide for all who are oppressed… the hungry… the prisoner… the blind… the distressed… the foreigner… and the widow and orphan. Gracious and meciful God – hear my prayer:

For the godly, all who strive to be disciples of Christ, that they may be filled with faith and love…. + Lord, hear my prayer.

For the oppressed and exploited of the earth, that they may receive their rightful justice…. + Lord, hear my prayer.

For those who see me as rich, that I may not be blind to their needs…. + Lord, hear my prayer.

For people in need in my community, that I may be a true friend…. + Lord, hear my prayer

For all who mourn the loss of loved ones, that they may be comforted…. + Lord, hear my prayer.

For all who have died, that they may be raised up at the last day…. + Lord, hear my prayer.

For my own needs and for those who have asked for my prayer…. + Lord, hear my prayer.

All of this I ask you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “There is a Hope” – Stuart Townend

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

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