Tag: Morning Prayer

7th Sunday after Pentecost: 23 July – Matthew 13: 24-43 ~ God will sort it all out

7th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

O God, patient and forbearing, you alone know fully the goodness of what you have made. Strengthen our spirit when we are slow and temper our zeal when we are rash, that in your own good time you may produce in us a rich harvest from the seed you have sown and tended. 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.
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“Indescribable” – Chris Tomlin


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Reading: Matthew 13: 24-43 (NLT)

Parable of the Wheat and Weeds

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.

“The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’

“‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed.

“‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.

“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Parable of the Mustard Seed

Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”

Parable of the Yeast

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:

“I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.”

Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Explained

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”

Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
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Intercessory Prayer

Heavenly Father: Fill us with your Spirit, that we might know how to pray –

+ For all believers who try to live faithfully, that they may have the grace to rise above the evil around them…. Lord, hear us.

+ For an end to war and all forms of conflict, that believers everywhere might live peaceful, quiet lives with dignity…. Lord, hear us.

+ For believers who suffer under oppression and persecution, that they may see justice done, in your time…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those among us who are finding life difficult, that the goodness of believing friends may bring them through…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all who lack the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter, that you may send help their way, through the efforts of believers…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those whose earthly journey is over, especially those who have lost children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters due to famine, violence and war…. Lord, hear us.

God of love and compassion, you do marvelous deeds: attend to our prayers and have mercy on us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Before the throne of God above” – Kingsway Music


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Concluding Prayer – Romans 8:38-39

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

6th Sunday after Pentecost: 16 July – Matthew 13:1-23 ~ Farming 101

6th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of the heavens, God of the earth, all creation awaits your gift of new life. Prepare our hearts to receive the word of your Son, that this good news may grow within us and yield a harvest that is a hundredfold. 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.
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“Psalm 84” – the Protestant Reformed Churches in America


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Reading: Matthew 13:1-23 (NLT)

Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed

Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.

For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes — so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
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Intercessory Prayer

Gracious God: You crown me with love and tender mercy; you fill my life with goodness. Hear me as I pray –

+ That all your people may hear, understand, and live your Word….
+ That hard-hearted people may be broken and prepared to receive your Word….
+ That new believers may become deeply rooted in your Word….
+ That believers everywhere may seek your kingdom first, above all else….
+ That believers everywhere may see their faithfulness rewarded by changed lives….
+ That believers who have gone before us in death may share the glory awaiting all your people….

God our creator, you provide for the earth and for all who live, hear to my prayer, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 85” – John Alexander Wilson 2016, The Free Church of Scotland.


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Concluding Prayer – 1 Cor. 15:58 (NLT)

Therefore, my beloved friends, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

5th Sunday after Pentecost: 09 July – Matthew 11:25-30 ~ rest for the weary

5th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, by whose gracious will the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike, teach us humility of heart after the example of your Son, that in shouldering his yoke we may find refreshment and rest. 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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“Song Of Moses” – Aaron Keyes


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Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT)

At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!

“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Prayer:

Our God is kind and compassionate; he welcomes us into his presence and listens to the cries of our hearts –

+ That believers everywhere may learn to trust in your gentle support….

+ That leaders in every tribe and nation may work for peace….

+ That the people of Syria and Iraq may be delivered from violence and danger….

+ That civil debate and discourse might replace the politics of personal destruction….

+ That all who labor and are overburdened may find rest, physically and spiritually….

+ That those who suffer in body, soul or spirit may be healed by Christ Jesus….

+ For all who have died in war, or in service to their country, that they may be raised to eternal life with Christ Jesus….

God of compassion and faithfulness, you raise up all who are bowed down: hear our prayer we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 62” – Aaron Keyes


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Concluding Prayer –

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. – 2 Th. 2:16-17 (NLT)
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

4th Sunday after Pentecost: 02 July – Matthew 10:37-42 ~ lose your life to find your Life

4th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, your never-failing care and guidance sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us. May your Word penetrate and enlighten our lives, 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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“Be Unto Your Name” – Robin Mark


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Reading: Matthew 10:37-42 (NLT)

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Our heart’s desire is to love and serve you as a faithful witness to the Light and Life that you brought into our dark, dysfunctional world.

+ We pray for our families in all their expressions; deliver us from self-contained selfishness – that we may be freely serve the interests of those around us.

+ Free us from oppressive family relationships; protect us in body, mind, and spirit – that we might become the new creations that you intend us to be.

+ Establish among us stable, loving families and marriages, where children are welcomed, loved and taught your ways.

+ Set us firmly in the family of faith, that we may be numbered among your children; show us how to faithfully follow you, while fulfilling our responsibilities to our natural family.

+ Make our homes a school of Gospel values; of justice, of sobriety, of service, of generosity, of prayer, of mercy and forgiveness.

Gracious God: We would love you first – with all our, heart, mind, soul, and strength; and then, we would love our neighbors as ourselves. Empower us by your Spirit to put both of your commandments into practice in our homes – that our families, both faith and human, may manifest your Light and Life in our dark, dysfunctional world. 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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“When Its All Been Said and Done” – Robin Mark


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Concluding Prayer –

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. – Jude 24-25 (NLT)
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: Friday, 30 June – Acts 9:32-43 ~ Good News for Lydda & Joppa

Morning Prayer

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

Opening Prayer

Draw me close, Holy Spirit, as I read the Scriptures and reflect on your Word. Let the word of faith be on my lips and in my heart, and let all other words slip away. May there be one voice I hear today — the voice of truth and grace. Amen.
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Reading: Acts 9:32-43 (NLT)

Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas. She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”

So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.

The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.
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Reflection and Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ:

You bring Good News to the poor; you release the captives and set free the oppressed; you bring sight to the blind; you announce the coming of the kingdom of God.

+ May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

You call us to repentance – a turning, or returning, to God – and faith in the Good News of your kingdom’s presence here among us now.

+ May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

You sent out the twelve apostles to bring the Good News of the kingdom; to heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.

+ May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

You sent out the seventy-two other disciples with kingdom authority to heal the sick, set free the demonized in your name.

+ May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

You give every believer the same kingdom authority, through the power of your Spirit at work within us, to bring the Good News of the kingdom into our homes, into our families, into our communities and into our workplaces.

+ May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this amazing privilege and opportunity to bring the Good News of the kingdom to those around us, and to play our part in your work. Fill us afresh with your Spirit today that what we say and do honor may you to the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.
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“Here As In Heaven” – Elevation Worship


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 145:1, 4-7, 13, 21 (NLT)

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
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Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
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For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
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I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!