Tag: Morning Prayer

The 4th Sunday of Epiphany – 03 Feb 2019 – Luke 4:21-32 ~ familiarity breeds contempt

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

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

Opening Prayer

God of salvation: In your Son – Jesus Christ – the Word made man, you announce freedom and call us to follow him. As we marvel at his grace and beauty, strengthen us in faith, and empower us with your Spirit, that we may faithfully follow wherever he leads us. We pray in Jesus’ name, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“You’re Beautiful” – Phil Wickham

__________

Gospel Reading: Luke 4:21-32 (NLT)

Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.

“Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way.

Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Almighty God: Our world is becoming increasingly hostile to the Good News of your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us your mercy, that we may be a light to the nations – a source of help, and healing, and hope. We pray especially –

+ For church leaders everywhere, that they may faithfully proclaim Jesus Christ and him crucified….
+ For believers everywhere, that our lives may reflect the compelling love of Christ….
+ For believers suffering great persecution, that they may be delivered from evil and receive hope and help….
+ For believers called as prophets, that they may speak your Word truthfully, even if it isn’t the popular thing to do….
+ For all who are sick, that they may receive healing in body, mind, and spirit and acknowledge Jesus as Lord….
+ For all who are seeking truth, that they may discover the Good News of Your Son, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life….
+ For all who have died in Christ Jesus, that they may experience perfect wholeness and pure joy in your eternal presence….

Almighty God: You are our Rock and our Refuge. Hear our prayers and grant us your sustaining mercy and grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“What A Beautiful Name” – Hillsong Worship

__________

Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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

The 3rd Sunday of Epiphany – 27 Jan 2019 – Luke 4:14-21 ~ “The time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Third Sunday of Epiphany

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God, whose compassion embraces all peoples, whose law is wisdom, freedom, and joy, fulfill in our midst your promise of favor, that we may receive the gospel of salvation with faith and, anointed by the Spirit, freely proclaim it. Grant 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.
__________

“O for a Thousand Tongues” – St Michael’s Singers

__________

Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-21 (NLT)

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Heavenly Father: Pour out your Spirit on us that we may demonstrate the Good News of great joy given to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray especially for –

+ Church leaders around the world – that they may faithfully preach and teach your Word….
+ All believers – that we may listen to your Word and faithfully put it into practice….
+ Persecuted believers – that they be delivered from evil and refreshed in faith and hope….
+ The poor, the captive, the blind, and oppressed – that they might experience your favor….
+ The sick in body, mind, and spirit – that they may experience healing in this life, and perfect wholeness in the life to come….
+ Those who have died in Christ – that all your promises to them may be fulfilled as they enter into the glory of your presence….

Heavenly Father: Your words are spirit and life. Soften our hearts, change our minds, and bend our wills, that we may become joy-filled bearers of your Good News through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Joy of the Lord” – Rend Collective Experiment

__________

Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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

The 2nd Sunday of Epiphany – 20 Jan 2019 – John 2:1-11 ~ Jesus’ glory revealed

Second Sunday of Epiphany

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

Opening Prayer

God of wonders, at Cana in Galilee you revealed your glory in Jesus Christ and summoned all humanity to life in him. Show us your transforming power and give us a foretaste of the new wine you keep for the age to come. We make our prayer 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.
__________

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” – Mass Choir, India

__________

Gospel Reading: John 2:1-11 (NLT)

The Wedding at Cana

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”

“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

God of wonders: Reveal the glory of your Son, Jesus Christ, to every tribe and nation. We pray especially  –

+ For believers everywhere who are seeking to follow Christ – unite us in faith, hope and love….
+ For believers facing persecution and dislocation in Africa and the Middle East – shield and protect them, and deliver them from evil….
+ For believers returning to their war-ravaged communities in Africa and the Middle East – sustain them and restore them….
+ For believers everywhere who are sick in body, mind, or spirit – reveal your glory and show them your loving-kindness….
+ For believers everywhere who are preparing to marry – unite them in Christ, and fill them with joy….
+ For believing families everywhere – unite them in Christ, and give them wisdom and sound judgement….

God of wonders: We proclaim to the nations – ‘God is king!’ Reveal your glory in answer to our prayers, we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
__________

“Open up the Heavens” – Vertical Church Band

__________

Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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

Tuesday Morning: 15 Jan 2019 – John 4:1-26 ~ a wellspring of eternal life

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 4:1-26 (NLT)

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”

Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
__________

Morning Reflection:

Jesus offers eternal life to everyone,
even the most unlikely people.

The Samaritan woman was surprised when the Jewish man resting by the well asked her for a drink of water. For all the reasons described by John – geographical, historical, religious and cultural – it was a most unlikely encounter between two people living worlds apart. And yet, it changed her life.

Jesus began the conversation with a simple request for water. And, when she responded with her own questions, he gently moved the conversation from physical thirst to spiritual thirst. And then Jesus zeroed in on her real problem – her unmarried cohabitation with a man after having five previous husbands. This was a women living in sin, on the margins of her own society.

“Although we thirst throughout our whole life, yet it is certain that we have not received the Holy Spirit for a single day, or for any short period, but as a perennial fountain, which will never fail us.” – John Calvin (Commentary on Psalm 63:1)

Jesus used the metaphor of “living water” to describe what he was offering her – “a perennial fountain” of eternal life. A wellspring of the Holy Spirit that would connect her with God “in spirit and truth.” What was the catch? Believing that Jesus was who he said he was – the longed for “Messiah” who had come to save her.

Questions for your consideration: Are there people around you who seem like unlikely recipients of the Good News of eternal life offered by Jesus Christ?

+ What barriers would need to be overcome to engage them in conversation?
+ Can you think of a natural point of contact to begin the conversation?
+ What metaphor could you use to describe Jesus’ offer of eternal life?
__________

Morning Prayer:

Loving and Merciful God: You want everyone to receive the gift of eternal life offered by your Son, Jesus Christ. Uncap within us the wellspring of the Holy Spirit that we received when we first believed. And give us the ability to recognize the endless possibilities for engaging others – even the most unlikely people – with the Good News of eternal life. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
__________

“Mighty to Save” – Hillsong United

__________

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

Monday Morning: 14 Jan 2019 – John 3:22-36 ~ I must become less and less

Monday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – John 3:22-36 (NLT)

Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.

At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. (This was before John was thrown into prison.) A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.”

John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
__________

Morning Reflection:

I am filled with joy at his success.
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
~ John 3:29-30 ~

Have you ever served as a best man / maid of honor at a wedding? How did you approach your role?

+ With joy – making it the very best day possible for the bride or groom.
+ With indifference – doing what’s required, but you’d rather be someplace else.
+ With resentment – going through the motions, wishing you were getting married instead.

John chose joy. Why? Because he recognized –

+ Jesus’ greatness – the Word of God who made his home among us.
+ Jesus’ testimony – first hand, what he had seen and heard in heaven.
+ Jesus’ authority – believe, obey and receive eternal life, or not.

John chose joy in response to Jesus’ success. And it’s a choice I face every day, not publicly, but privately in my heart. In order to experience a full, satisfying life, I must decrease and Jesus must increase.

Questions for consideration:

“Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom,
consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves.”
– John Calvin

+ Jesus’ greatness, testimony, and authority: What stands out for you?
+ Humility: What must decrease in your life, so that Jesus might increase?
+ Joy: Where in your life can you choose joy over indifference, or resentment?

__________

Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I believe in your Son Jesus Christ, help me overcome my pride, my prejudices, my foolishness, my fears, and my outright rebellion. Expand my understanding of Jesus’ greatness and bend my will to his will. And fill me with joy when I choose to obey him, regardless of the circumstances. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
__________

“Less Of Me” – Roy Fields

__________

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