Tag: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

Morning Prayer: Thu, 23 Mar – John 6:15-21 ~ overwhelmed?

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Heavenly Father, you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you: Look upon the heartfelt desires of your humble servants, and stretch forth the strong hand of your Majesty to be our defense against our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
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Reading: John 6:15-21 (NLT)

When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum.

Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
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Prayer:

Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise: even when I can’t see you, you are with me; and your presence gives me peace and leads me on the pathway to life.

+ Forgive my distrust and impatience that leads me to strike out on my own.
+ Thank you for the gale-force storms that have threatened to overwhelm me.
+ Thank you for your words of assurance: “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

Unchanging Father of Glory: you are the giver of life; you are my true life. Calm my fears and strengthen my resolve to follow your lead. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Hold Me Jesus” – Big Daddy Weave


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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: 03 March – Luke 11:14-23 ~ with me or against me?

Thursday of the Third 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: Luke 11:14-23 (NLT)

One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

Gentlemen-8

He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe — until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

Morning Prayer

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, the radiant light of the world. You guide me along the path of light and I no longer live in darkness. Christ, my Savior, may I grow in your likeness today.

+ Lord Jesus, you are the Way – may I follow your leadership throughout the day.
+ Lord Jesus, you are the Truth – may I reflect your purity of heart in all my actions today.
+ Lord Jesus, you are the Life – may I be a life-giving presence to all I encounter today.
+ Draw me close to you – may I treasure your friendship and come to know its depth.
+ Teach me to work with you for the good of all, whether the time is right or not.
+ Forgive my sins against your wisdom and love – may your word light up my way.

Merciful God, I approach your throne of grace and humbly ask that you prepare me – body, mind and spirit – to celebrate Easter with an ever greater appreciation for the paschal mystery. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“God With Us” – Jesus Culture

You are matchless in grace and mercy | There is nowhere we can hide from Your love | You are steadfast, never failing, You are faithful | All creation is in awe of who You are

You’re the healer of the sick and the broken | You are comfort for every heart that mourns | Our King and our Savior forever | For eternity we will sing of all You’ve done | For eternity we will sing of all You’ve done

God with us, God for us | Nothing can come against, | no one can stand between us | God with us, God for us | Nothing can come against, | no one can stand between us

Your heart, it moves with compassion | There is life, there is healing in Your love | You’re the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit | For eternity we will sing of all You’ve done

Where there was death, You brought life, Lord | Where there was fear, You brought courage | When I was afraid, You were with me | And You lifted me up, and You lifted me up

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: 12 Mar – Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23 ~ work with me people

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Praise to Christ our Lord, the radiant light of the world. He guides our steps in a path of light and we no longer live in darkness. May your word light up our way.
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Cross, San Francesco, Arezzo
Cross, San Francesco, Arezzo

Christ, our Saviour, may we grow today in Your likeness and gain through the second Adam what was lost by the first. May Your word take flesh in our lives and Your truth shine forth in our actions; may Your love burn brightly within us. Teach us 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 we always treasure Your friendship and come to know its depth; forgive our sins against Your wisdom and love. Through our 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: Jeremiah 7:23-28 (NLT)

This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’

donkey

“But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward. From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets — day in and day out. But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful — even worse than their ancestors.

“Tell them all this, but do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond. Say to them, ‘This is the nation whose people will not obey the Lord their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.
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Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful. (Joel 2:12-13)
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 11:14-23 (NLT)

church interior in light

One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe — until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
__________

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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