Tag: Lectio Divina

Pentecost Sunday, 04 June – Acts 2:1-21 ~ Spirit break out

Pentecost Sunday

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

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Spirit – Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Reading: Acts 2:1-21 (NLT)

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.

And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below—blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: on this day of Pentecost, the Church is filled with joy and strengthened with measureless hope.
– Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord Jesus: raised on the cross, you poured out the water of rebirth for the life of the world. Quicken the life of all believers with the gift of the Spirit.
– Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord Jesus: raised up to God’s right hand, you bestowed on the apostles the Father’s Gift; your people now wait for the same Gift, the same hope.
– Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord Jesus: you breathed your Spirit upon the apostles, and gave them the power of forgiveness: set all men free today from the prison of sin.
– Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord Jesus: you promised to send us the Spirit of truth, that we might become your heralds throughout the world. Through his presence in your people may we bear faithful witness to you.
– Lord, renew the face of the earth.

Lord our God: sanctify your Church in every race and nation by the presence and power of your Spirit. Pour out the gifts of the Holy Spirit on your people, and fulfill now in the hearts of your faithful what you accomplished when the Gospel was first preached on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Spirit Break Out” – Kim Walker-Smith


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty.
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O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.
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But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.
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May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!
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May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Saturday of 7th Week of Easter, 03 June – John 21:20-25 ~ accurately recorded

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God: let the Holy Spirit come down on us, as we wait in prayer, that we may become enthusiastic believers and faithful witnesses to the person and the good news of Jesus. May our way of living bear witness that Jesus is our light and life, now and for ever.

Reading: John 21:20-25 (NLT)

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. – John 21:25

God’s loving-kindness is inexhaustible. Here is a checklist (from Psalm 103) of some of the things God does for those he loves. Which of these apply to you? Take a moment, remember the circumstances, and thank God for the goodness he has shown you.

+ He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

+ He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

+ He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

+ He gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

+ He is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

+ He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

+ He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

+ He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

+ He is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

+ His love remains forever with those who fear him.

+ His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

+ He has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.
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“Bless His holy name” – Times Square Church Choir


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Concluding Prayer – 103:1 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Friday of 7th Week of Easter, 02 June – John 21:15-19 ~ follow me

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, you have appointed shepherds in your Church to speak your word to us and to build community in your name. We pray today: May they be shepherds like your Son who look for those who have lost the way, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. May they all be ministers of your tender love and service, as Jesus was, your Son and our Lord.

Reading: John 21:15-19 (NLT)

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Heavenly Father: you have called us by name and have set us apart to love and serve you as faithful witnesses to our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merciful God: we confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Forgive us, for the sake of your Son; and fill us with his same loving passion and obedience even unto death.

Sovereign Lord: unfold your plan for each one of us; you have positioned us in time and place to advance the purposes of your Kingdom. Reveal to us our individual responsibilities, great and small, and empower us with the gifts of your Spirit to fulfill them.

Loving God: abide in us that our practice of love may become second nature to us. Let your loving-kindness prevail and lead us, even where we are not inclined to go, that you may be glorified in all that we do and say through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Follow Me” – Casting Crowns


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 103:1-2 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thursday of 7th Week of Easter, 01 June – John 17:20-26 ~ one in Christ

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Father of all who believe in his name: we know that you loved Jesus with a deep and trusting, everlasting love. Let your Holy Spirit pour out this love into the hearts of all believers in Jesus, our Savior. And let this love unite us in one common bond of understanding and mutual respect that we may live for one another and serve one another for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 17:20-26 (NLT)

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved other believers as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us. Make us one in you; let your love flow in us, and through us to one another that the world may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Show us how to worship and pray together, to live and work together, to support one another in our common effort to make disciples throughout the world. Help us to remain in your love in spite of our rivalries, tensions and conflicts.

Lord God: We confess that “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” Make us one body, united by the same Spirit, and called to the same glorious hope for the future. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“We Are One Body” – John Michael Talbot


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Wednesday of 7th Week of Easter, 31 May – John 17:12-19 ~ keep us safe

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: we confess that we have sinned against you and against our neighbor. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us.

Lord, God of heaven, look down and see your people who are in great trouble and distress. The evil one prowls this earth seeking to steal, kill, and destroy us. Protect us and deliver us from evil. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Reading: John 17:12-19 (NLT)

During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ:

+ You have called us by name and we have followed you; we are your people, the sheep of your pasture. Thank you, Good Shepherd, our provider and protector.

+ You have chosen us to be your very own possession that we may show others your goodness. Thank you, Light of the world, for calling us out of the darkness into your wonderful light.

+ You have set us apart as temporary residents and foreigners in a hostile and unbelieving world. Thank you, Word of God, for teaching us and consecrating us in your truth.

+ You have given us your Spirit that we may lead honorable lives. Thank you, Spirit of Christ, for empowering us to live as citizens of your Kingdom – respecting everyone and loving the family of believers.

Lord our God: our rock, our fortress, our savior; protect us and keep us safe from the evil one.  Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Keep Us Safe” – Carrie Underwood


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 18:2-3 (NLT)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!