25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 113:1-8; Amos 8:7; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:10-13 ~ cumulative faithfulness

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

Opening sentence: I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 113:1-8 (NLT)

Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. Everywhere — from east to west — praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!

Reading Psalm 113 to the people of the Garbage Dump in Managua.

A Reading from the Prophet Amos: Amos 8:7 (NLT)

Now the Lord has sworn this oath by his own name, the Pride of Israel: “I will never forget the wicked things you have done!”

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to Timothy: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NLT)

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity — the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating — just telling the truth.

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke: Luke 16:10-13 (NLT)

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Intercessions: God, who heeds the cry of the poor… hear our prayers today. We pray…

For the ministry of service to people who are poor, homeless, hungry or in any other need…

For those who govern with honesty and justice, and for citizens… immigrants… and refugees…

For all who are victims of injustice… and those impoverished by war and neglect…

For all of us to put God, not wealth and possessions, at the center of our lives…

For all Americans serving our country…and for the loved ones who await their safe return…

For those who are seriously ill, hospitalized, or homebound…

For the ministry of healing with people who are broken in body… mind… or spirit…

For the recently deceased, and for all who mourn their loss…

All-powerful and ever-living God, the world is your footstool. Make us always worthy of your trust. This we ask you through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Micha’el Eliyahu Ben David

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

Morning Prayer: Psalm 22:26-28: 1 Chronicles 29:11-14; Mark 6:2-4 ~ kingdom come

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentences
Seek the Lord while He may be found – with all your heart… with all your soul… with all your mind… with all your strength.

Call upon Him while He is near.

Declaration of faith

To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

Psalm 22:26-28 ESV The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

1 Chronicles 29:11-14 ESV Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

Mark 6:2-4 ESV And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

Prayer:

O Son of Mary, how wonderful Your friendliness to me! How deep! How unchanging! Help me to pass it on.

Help me to find my happiness in my acceptance of what is Your purpose for me: in friendly eyes; in work well done; in quietness born of trust; and, most of all, in the awareness of Your presence in my spirit.

Come, Lord Jesus, come as King. Rule in our minds: come as peace. Rule in our actions: come as power. Rule in our days: come as joy.

Thy Kingdom come among us. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Let Your Kingdom Come” – Hillsong Music

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

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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.

From the Heart of a Syrian Pastor ~ please pray.

Peanut Gallery: Please pray for the people of Syria.

“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:9-10 (NLT)

Click here for Open Door’s original post: FROM THE HEART OF A SYRIAN PASTOR.

Open Doors received a prayer from a pastor, one of our partners in the relief work in Syria. The prayer, which is both moving and heartbreaking, gives an insight into the suffering of those who have decided to stay in Syria.

“I weep for my country! I am so sad and speechless…

“They advise me to leave my country… to emigrate. I respond saying:

I’m staying… for the church of Jesus … that the message of Jesus may remain a light guiding those who are lost and afraid.
I’m staying… because the harvest is plentiful… and the suffering is huge… a deep wound, a sense of despair …
I’m staying … to follow in the footsteps of my Master who went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil.
I’m staying… because I’m busy… in the ministry of saving souls (or can someone like me run… Lord give me strength).
“O Lord, hear and answer my prayers.”

Please join in praying through these prayer points provided by Syrian Christians.

That the cup of war be taken away from our country, Syria.
That the Lord may crush the conspiracy of the evil ones and their war plans… and consider their threats.
That He may send the power of His Holy Spirit on His church, that it may reach out to the suffering souls who – harassed and helpless – are like sheep without a shepherd.
That the Lord may help us to speak with great boldness and that many wonders and signs be performed … and souls return to Christ, and there be singing and praises.
That the Lord may send more help – that the house of the Lord may have food to satisfy the needs of the internally displaced, hundreds of whom are without any shelter.
That the Lord may send more support for the wounded and the sick who are in need of surgery, medication, and healing.
That the Lord may send those who can help us build a center for children affected by the war and send those who can help the children who are now disabled, and have special needs.
That the Lord will enable us to take care of those who have lost their supporters, and help them to get back on their feet.

Father, as we join the world in reflecting on the plight of the people of Syria, ravaged by unrelenting civil war, we look on not as those who are without hope, but as those whose anchor of hope is in You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. And so we come before You on behalf of the people of Syria, especially Your church there, imploring You to take away this cup of war from them.

We call upon You to bring peace and justice in the midst of spiritual darkness, that all might know that You have done it. Protect Your church and grant them courage and opportunity to speak the truth with great boldness that a vast multitude might turn to Christ in worship and praise.

We pray that You will provide Your people with food and shelter, with medical care and healing. And we grieve over the children, wounded and traumatized by the very powers that should be protecting them. Raise up resources to provide a place of refuge, comfort, hope and healing for these children that their bodies might be sustained and their hearts kept from becoming hardened. Cause Your Spirit to breathe life into their parched souls.

In the name of Jesus, our refuge and sure defense in a world pillaged by the evil one. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Psalm 89:13-15; Isaiah 9:7; 1 Corinthians 14:8 ~ battle cry

Morning Prayer:

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

Opening sentences
Seek the Lord while He may be found: with all your heart… with all your soul… with all your mind… with all your strength.

Declaration of faith

To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning readings

Psalm 89:13-15 ESV You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face….

Isaiah 9:7 ESV Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

1 Corinthians 14:8 ESV And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?

Prayer: Lord God – Who is like you? You are all-powerful! You are the Creator of the Universe! You are the beginning and the end of history! You hold the world in your strong, powerful, right hand! There is none like you! Lord Jesus – Reign and rule Your Kingdom here on earth as in heaven… and may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. Holy Spirit – Attune our hearts and our spirits to here Your call. Give us a loud voice to shout the victory cry – “Our God reigns!” Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Days of Elijah” – Robin Mark

Blessing

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

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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 147:10-11; Esther 6:7-9; Mathew 25:34-40 ~ least of these

Morning Prayer ~ Celtic Daily Prayer

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

Opening sentences

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 147:10-11 ESV His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Esther 6:7-9 ESV And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set. And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’”

Matthew 25:34-40 ESV Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Syrian refugees Ali Shteiwi kisses his wife Walaa as she holds their newborn daughter, Taymaa, at the Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq, Jordan last month. Canada is accepting 200 'urgent' refugees from the region but they won't start arriving until later this year. (Raad Adayleh/Associated Press) — Syrian refugees Ali Shteiwi kisses his wife Walaa as she holds their newborn daughter, Taymaa, at the Zaatari refugee camp in Mafraq, Jordan last month. Canada is accepting 200 ‘urgent’ refugees from the region but they won’t start arriving until later this year. (Raad Adayleh/Associated Press)

Prayer ~ (adapted from Isaiah 58:6-12)

Lord God: You have made clear through your Son and the prophets what you want from me;

To free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for me.
To let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
To share my food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless.
To give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need my help.
To remove the heavy yoke of oppression and help those in trouble.

Help me to do my part… that I might receive your blessing… now and forever:

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.”

Hymn: “When It’s All Been Said and Done” – Robin Mark

Blessing

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

_____________________________________________

Peanut Gallery: Selected readings 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 am limiting my selections to the Morning Prayer resources.

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