Tag: Morning Prayer

2nd Sunday after Pentecost, 23 Jun 2019: Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 9:18-24 ~ God’s Children through Faith

Second Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

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, 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.
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“In Christ There Is No East or West” – BBC Christian Music

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A Reading from the New Testament: Galatians 3:23-29 (NLT)

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 9:18-24 (NLT)

One day Jesus left the crowds to pray alone. Only his disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!”

Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone who he was. “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
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Intercession:

Gracious and Loving God: Through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have made us your children – united with him in baptism. Help us to live like him through the power of your Spirit at work within us. We pray especially –

+ For world peace, that warring factions may die to themselves and be raised to new life in you….
+ For world leaders, that they may govern their nations with wisdom and understanding from you….
+ For church leaders around the world, that they may be peacemakers by word and example….
+ For believers from different traditions, that we might love one another and learn from one another….
+ For all believers suffering persecution, that they may be delivered from evil…..
+ For all believers, that we may be clothed in Christ in every circumstance….
+ For all those who are in trouble, sick, or needy, that they may receive your help and healing….

Gracious God: Show us your loving-kindness and come quickly to the aid of your people. And strengthen us through the pwoer of your Word and Spirit as we await the coming of your justice and peace. We ask this in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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“Living Hope” – Phil Wickham

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Closing: – Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 22 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 11:32-40 ~ Faith makes heroes

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading from the Book of Hebrews 11:32-40 (NLT)

How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith makes heroes.

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith,
yet none of them received all that God had promised.
– Hebrews 11:30

The Old Testament is full of good models of persevering, living faith and today we are reminded of several of them, and what they accomplished. It’s important to note that none of these heroes was perfect, and yet God approved of the faith of each one.

  • In some cases, by faith these heroes accomplished great things.
  • In other cases, these heroes were persecuted, tortured and killed because of their faith.
  • But in every case they stayed the course by faith because they believed in the better future that God had promised them.

“. . . it is the future, and not the past, that molds the present. . . .” (William L. Lane)

Hebrews Chapter 11 is intended to inspire us to trust and obey God, even if we don’t realize God’s promises to us in our lifetime.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you believe that God can make you a hero of faith? Why / Why not? Please explain.
  • How has God positioned you to uniquely bear witness to your faith? What are your opportunities? What are your challenges? Please explain.
  • When you think of God’s promises for a better future, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • What would it / does it take to live as a child of that promise? Please explain.
  • What do you need to do? What do you need God to do? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

 Heavenly Father: Fill us with Your Spirit, that all who work to protect life will show that we belong to you by how we love one another and how we treat others. I pray for those who are facing life and death decisions right now, that they may be attracted to you, and receive your love and hope and help through us. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer in Times of Suffering or Weakness:

Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: I hold up all my weakness to your strength, my failure to your faithfulness, my sinfulness to your perfection, my loneliness to your compassion, my little pains to your great agony on the Cross. I pray that you will cleanse me, strengthen me, guide me, so that in all ways my life may be lived as you would have it lived, without cowardice and for you alone. Show me how to live in true humility, true contrition, and true love. Amen. 

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“Press On” – Selah

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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

Trinity Sunday, 16 Jun 2019: Isaiah 6:1-7; Revelation 4:1-11; John 16:12-15 ~ Holy! Holy! Holy!

Trinity Sunday

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

Opening Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, your name is veiled in mystery, yet we dare to call you Father; your Son was begotten before all ages, yet is born among us in time; your Holy Spirit fills the whole creation, yet is poured forth now into our hearts. Because you have made us and loved us and called us by name, draw us more deeply into your divine life, that we may glorify you rightly through your Son, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Holy, Holy, Holy” – Latria Modern Worship

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-7 (NLT)

Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke.

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
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A Reading from the New Testament: Revelation 4:1-11 (NLT)

Worship in Heaven

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.

In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:12-15 (NLT)

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
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Intercession:

Holy! Holy! Holy! are you, Lord God Almighty, the whole world is filled with your glory! Thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus Christ, that our sins may be forgiven and that we may approach your throne of grace with confidence. Lord, in your mercy, help us – we pray especially –

+ For the peace of the whole world, that your people may live full satisfying lives….
+ For church leaders around the world, that they may lead with constancy, grace, and love….
+ For all who preach / teach the Gospel, that they may make wise, faithful disciples….
+ For all believers in Christ who are persecuted for their faith, that they may be delivered from evil….
+ For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, that they may receive your help and healing, and be filled with hope….
+ For believing father’s everywhere, that we might fulfill our responsibilities to our wives and children with energy, intelligence, imagination and love – after the example of Jesus….

Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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“Revelation Song” – Gateway Worship

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Closing:

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 15 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 9:1-10 ~ Jesus provides free access to God

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading from the Book of Hebrews: Hebrews 9:1-10 (NLT)

Old Rules about Worship

That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now.

When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.

This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established.
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Morning Reflection:

By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed
that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open
as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use.– Hebrews 9:8

Today’s reading continues the explanation of why the new covenant is superior to the old – specifically that, under the old covenant access was limited to God’s Presence (the Most Holy Place), and the sacrificial offerings were inadequate (required repetition). The Tabernacle is used as an illustration because of its association with the giving of the Old Covenant to Moses at Mount Sinai.

The point being made is that the old system of worship did not meet the deepest need of God’s people, i.e. an intimate personal relationship with God. Its rites and ceremonies extended mainly to external matters until God would provide a better system at “a time of reformation.”

Questions for consideration:

  • What’s the difference between approaching God, through ritual or relationship? Please explain.
  • What role does ritual have in your relationship with God? Please explain.
  • Do you consider yourself as having free access to God? Yes / No. Please explain.
  • Do you have a clear conscience, i.e. a conscience that is right with God? Please explain.
  • If you are not sure, please click here.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

 Heavenly Father: Make us one, across all denominational lines, in our mission to care for of widows and orphans, young and old, weak and ill, disabled and distressed. Pour out your Spirit and usher in a season of refreshment that provides new energy and clarity for all who labor to protect human life – from fertilization until natural death. I ask this in Jesus’ name, the Lord of Life. Amen.

Prayer for a Clear Conscience:

“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.” 

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“Take Me In” – Petra

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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

Pentecost Sunday, 09 Jun 2019: Acts 1:1-5; Acts 2:1-11 ~ Filled with the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost Sunday

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

Opening Prayer:

Send down, O God, upon your people the flame of your Holy Spirit: Bestow on us his gifts, and fill us over and over again with his power – that your life-giving Spirit may lend fire to our words and strength to our witness. Send us forth to the nations of the world to proclaim with boldness “Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!” We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“O for a Thousand Tongues” – St Michael’s Singers

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A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 1:1-5 (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 2:1-11 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit Comes

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!”
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Intercession:

Gracious God: Pour out your Spirit on us, that we might approach your throne of grace with confidence through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray especially –

+ that your Spirit will breathe new life into every church leader around the world…..
+ that your Spirit will enable every believer to grow in grace, peace, and love….
+ that your Spirit will fill and strengthen believers who are persecuted for their faith….
+ that your Spirit will bring healing to all who suffer spiritually, physically, and mentally….
+ that your Spirit will guide and inspire young believers in planning for their future….
+ that your Spirit will refresh and renew all who labor in the name of Jesus….

Gracious God: Send forth your Spirit and renew the earth, and give us the words and boldness to proclaim your mighty works to the whole world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Come Holy Spirit” – Annabel Soh, City Harvest Church, Singapore

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Closing: – Romans 8:15-16

You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen