Tag: protect them by the power of your name

Morning Prayer: 20 May – Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11-19 ~ keep watch over yourselves

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

The Holy Spirit joins with our spirit in bearing witness that we are children of God.
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God of patience and encouragement: grant that we may agree with one another by following the example of Christ – united in mind and voice, let us glorify You. May I think of my brother’s good and strive to please him – enable me to strengthen his faith. Do not allow me to be led astray by the power of the Evil One – fill me instead with the Spirit who comes from You. Lord, You know everything that is in my heart – lead me in the ways of integrity and truth. Father, hear Your children. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 20:28-38 (NLT)

The Shepherd Julien Dupre (1851-1910) Private Collection
The Shepherd
Julien Dupre (1851-1910)
Private Collection

To the Ephesian Elders: Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
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Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. (John 17:17)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:11-19 (NLT)

demon locked within

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 19 May – Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11 ~ one message: repent and believe in Jesus

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Christ the Lord has promised us the Holy Spirit: come, let us adore him, alleluia.
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Lord Jesus, may Your word in all its richness dwell within us – let me sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness to You. Through the Holy Spirit You have made us children of God – at all times may I pray through the Spirit to You and the Father. Guide our actions by Your wisdom – in the events of daily living may I tell of God’s glory. You are long suffering and full of compassion – help me to live at peace with everyone.

God of power and mercy, give us Your Spirit to dwell in us and make us a temple filled with His glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Acts: Acts 20:17-27 (NLT)

When we landed at Miletus, [Paul] sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

walking_with_jesus

When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

“And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
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I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. (John 14:16)
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:1-11 (NLT)

Keep them One

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life — to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

7th Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Psalm 103; 1 John 4:11-16; John 17:11-19 ~ keep them safe from the evil one

Seventh Sunday of Easter

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed. Alleluia.
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Lord Jesus, help us to live by Your Spirit; and show us that we are God’s children. May Your Spirit come to our aid. Make us generous, warm-hearted and unselfish; help us always to think of the needs of others. Through the Holy Spirit grant us the desire to seek God’s kingdom and His justice; strengthen our resolve to know you and the Father. Lord Jesus, Savior of mankind, You are enthroned with the Father in majesty. We offer You our sacrifice of worship and praise. May we feel Your presence among us to the end of time – one God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 (NLT)

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
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Apostle Matthias Duccio, 1311 Museo dell Opera del Duomo Florence, Italy
Apostle Matthias
Duccio, 1311
Museo dell Opera del Duomo
Florence, Italy

Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says… ‘Let someone else take his position.’

“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus — from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 103 (NLT)


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A Reading from the Letters: 1 John 4:11-16 (NLT)

cross and heart

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 17:11-19 (NLT)

there is power in the name of Jesus

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 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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Intercessions:

Merciful God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer – hear our prayers:

+ For Christians around the world – that by our lives we may pass on the Good News of Christ’s mercy and grace…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Your church around the world – that You might raise up a new generation of leaders, full of the Spirit and wisdom…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those called to work as missionaries – that they may advance Your Kingdom purposes in today’s world…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the people of Nepal, recovering from a second earthquake – that people of good will may help them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who work in the media – that their work may advance the cause of truth and justice…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit – that You might restore their health and deliver them from evil…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who feel lonely or undervalued – that our friendship may help them realize how much You love them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all our bothers and sisters who have died in Christ – that they may reside with Him in eternity…. Lord, hear us.

Lord Most High, great king over all the earth, You calm Your people in their distress: hear and grant our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

(May you) grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

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