Morning Prayer: Sat, 04 Mar – Genesis 41:1, 14; Isaiah 49:13-16 ~ never forgotten

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

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

Opening Sentences

O God, come to our aid. O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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Reading: Genesis 41:1, 14 (NLT)

Two full years later…
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Pharaoh sent for Joseph….
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Reading: Isaiah 49:13-16 (NLT)

name-engraved-on-hand

Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.

Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins….”
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Prayer:

Father in heaven: you have written my name on your hand as a reminder of your steadfast love for me – your adopted child.

+ Grant me your peace when I’m troubled.
+ Grant me your guidance when I’m confused.
+ Grant me your wisdom when I’m foolish.
+ Grant me your heart when I’m indifferent.
+ Grant me your mercy when I’m suffering.
+ Grant me your protection when I’m overwhelmed.
+ Grant me your healing when I’m sick.

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your loving kindness to me in good times and bad. Fill me with songs of joy, that I may glorify your name. Through Jesus Christ, your Son and my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Blessed Be Your Name” – Maranatha! Music


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Morning Prayer: 13 February – Isaiah 1:16-18; Luke 5:27-32 ~ a cure for what ails you

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Isaiah 1:16-18 (NLT)

Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

let_it_snow_logo

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Morning Reading: Luke 5:27-32 (NLT)

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Morning Prayer

Christ Jesus, my Savior: you understand my weaknesses because you faced all of the same testings I do, yet you did not sin. Welcome me into your presence this morning, grant me your mercy, and help me by your grace.

+ Cleanse me and keep my body free from sin – may I remain in your presence throughout the day.
+ Fill me with the Holy Spirit – may he comfort me and guide all my words and actions.
+ Show me how to offer myself for others – may I put aside my selfishness and pride.
+ Strengthen me to do your will throughout the day – may your Kingdom come in me.
+ Give me a hunger for the food of eternal life – may I live on the nourishment of your word.

All-powerful and ever-living God, look with compassion on my frailty, and for my protection stretch out to me your strong right hand. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Jesus Paid It All”

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 21 Feb – Is 58:9b-14; Lk 5:27-32 ~ restorer of homes

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

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

Opening prayer:

All-powerful and ever-living God, look with compassion on my frailty, and for my protection stretch out to me Your strong right hand. Grant that I may hunger for the food of eternal life; give me the bread of Your word. Lord, help me by your grace – through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 58:9b-14 (NLT)

building a wall

“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
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I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live. (Ezekiel 33:11)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 5:27-32 (NLT)

repentance kneeling

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
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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