2nd Friday of Easter: 16 Apr 2021

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

And he said, “O man greatly loved,
fear not, peace be with you;
be strong and of good courage.”
And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said,
“Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
(Daniel 10:18-19)

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Psalms: Psalm 4

Psalm 4 – “Lord, Let Your Face Shine On Us” – Francesca LaRosa

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OT Reading: Daniel 10:2-19 (ESV)

10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

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Be Strong In the Lord – Alexandra Saluna

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NT Reading: 11 John 2:26-28 (ESV)

2:26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

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I’m Listening  ~ Chris McClarney, Ft. Hollyn

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Prayer – everydayprayerguide.com (adapted)

+ Lord Jesus, we come before you today because we want to hear your voice. We want you to speak to us, just like you spoke to the Prophets of old… speak to us clearly in the name of Jesus.

+ Lord Jesus, when you speak, make it unmistakably clear to us. Give us the grace to hear your voice, and the ability to understand what you say… give us discernment in the name of Jesus.

+ Heavenly Father, we renounce every influence of sin in our lives: every sin that inhibits our connection with you, every sin that prevents us from hearing your voice clearly… remove them in the name of Jesus.

+ Heavenly Father, we renounce all spiritual powers and principalities around us that seek to harm us: all liars, deceivers, evil-doers, and agents of wickedness… deliver us in the name of Jesus.

+ Come Holy Spirit, fill us with your life-giving power, just like you did in the book of Acts; renew our minds and open our hearts… descend on us right now, we pray in the name of Jesus.

+ Gracious God: speak to us concerning our lives, our destiny, our purpose; your servants are listening… we pray in the name of Jesus.

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+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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