Tag: Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Morning Prayer: Thu, 09 Mar – Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5; John 12:28 ~ glorify and enjoy

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading: Matthew 3:17 (NLT)

The Baptism of Jesus

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
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Reading: Matthew 17:5 (NLT)

The Transfiguration of Jesus

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
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Reading: John 12:28 (NLT)

The Death of Jesus

“Father, bring glory to your name.”

Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: you have made me to glorify your name and to enjoy you forever. Show me how –

+ In remembering my Baptism – my repentance from sin, my rebirth as your child, my remaining in you – may I bring you great joy.
+ In listening to your Word and Spirit – growing in wisdom, maturity and favor with you and all people – may I bring you great joy.
+ In humbling myself, letting go of my pride, even dying to myself, that your name may be glorified – may I bring you great joy.

Heavenly Father: it is no secret that I am a work in progress with a long way to go to become all that you have made me to be. Strengthen me today and fill me with your Spirit that I may take up my cross and follow my Lord Jesus to your eternal delight and the glory of your name. Amen.
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“Ever Be” – Kalley Heiligenthal


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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: 18 February – Matthew 7:7-12 ~ pray, again and again

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

+ 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: Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT)

ask and keep on asking
ask and keep on asking

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, the radiant light of the world. You guide me along a well-lit path so that I no longer live in darkness. Welcome me now into your presence, and may your word and Spirit light my way.

+ Christ Jesus, you are my Savior and Lord; may I grow today in your likeness.
+ Take all of me – body, soul and spirit; may your truth shine forth in my actions.
+ Take away my selfish, self-serving inclinations; may your love burn brightly within me.
+ Teach me to work for the good of all, whether the time is right or not.
+ Make your Church a welcome light for the whole human family.
+ May I always treasure your friendship and come to know its depth.
+ Forgive my sins against your wisdom and love; may I follow your lead today.

In your bounty, Lord, give me the Spirit who alone can teach me to think and do what is right, so that I, who without you cannot exist, may live in loving obedience to your will. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Ask Seek Knock” – Eric & Monique

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: 26 Feb – Est 14:17; Mt 7:7-12 ~ no helper but you

Thursday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

If you, evil though you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.
_____

In Your bounty, Lord, give me the Spirit who alone can teach me to think and do what is right, so that I, who without You cannot exist, may live in loving obedience to Your will. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Esther 4:17 (RSVCE)

Esther’s Prayer (paraphrase)

Queen Esther Edwin Long, 1898 National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Queen Esther
Edwin Long, 1898
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Queen Esther took refuge with the Lord in the mortal peril which had overtaken her. She besought the Lord God of Israel in these words:

‘My Lord, our King, the only one, come to my help, for I am alone and have no helper but you and am about to take my life in my hands.

‘I have been taught from my earliest years, in the bosom of my family, that you, Lord, chose Israel out of all the nations and our ancestors out of all the people of old times to be your heritage for ever; and that you have treated them as you promised.

‘Remember, Lord; reveal yourself in the time of our distress.

‘As for me, give me courage, King of gods and master of all power. Put persuasive words into my mouth when I face the lion; change his feeling into hatred for our enemy, that the latter and all like him may be brought to their end.

‘As for ourselves, save us by your help, and come to my help, for I am alone and have no one but you, Lord.’
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Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. (Joel 2:13)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT)

unanswered-prayer

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
__________


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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