Tag: Universalis

Saturday of 7th Week of Easter, 03 June – John 21:20-25 ~ accurately recorded

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God: let the Holy Spirit come down on us, as we wait in prayer, that we may become enthusiastic believers and faithful witnesses to the person and the good news of Jesus. May our way of living bear witness that Jesus is our light and life, now and for ever.

Reading: John 21:20-25 (NLT)

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. – John 21:25

God’s loving-kindness is inexhaustible. Here is a checklist (from Psalm 103) of some of the things God does for those he loves. Which of these apply to you? Take a moment, remember the circumstances, and thank God for the goodness he has shown you.

+ He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

+ He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

+ He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

+ He gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

+ He is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

+ He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

+ He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

+ He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

+ He is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

+ His love remains forever with those who fear him.

+ His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

+ He has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.
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“Bless His holy name” – Times Square Church Choir


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Concluding Prayer – 103:1 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Friday of 7th Week of Easter, 02 June – John 21:15-19 ~ follow me

Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, you have appointed shepherds in your Church to speak your word to us and to build community in your name. We pray today: May they be shepherds like your Son who look for those who have lost the way, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. May they all be ministers of your tender love and service, as Jesus was, your Son and our Lord.

Reading: John 21:15-19 (NLT)

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Heavenly Father: you have called us by name and have set us apart to love and serve you as faithful witnesses to our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merciful God: we confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Forgive us, for the sake of your Son; and fill us with his same loving passion and obedience even unto death.

Sovereign Lord: unfold your plan for each one of us; you have positioned us in time and place to advance the purposes of your Kingdom. Reveal to us our individual responsibilities, great and small, and empower us with the gifts of your Spirit to fulfill them.

Loving God: abide in us that our practice of love may become second nature to us. Let your loving-kindness prevail and lead us, even where we are not inclined to go, that you may be glorified in all that we do and say through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Follow Me” – Casting Crowns


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 103:1-2 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thursday of 7th Week of Easter, 01 June – John 17:20-26 ~ one in Christ

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Father of all who believe in his name: we know that you loved Jesus with a deep and trusting, everlasting love. Let your Holy Spirit pour out this love into the hearts of all believers in Jesus, our Savior. And let this love unite us in one common bond of understanding and mutual respect that we may live for one another and serve one another for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 17:20-26 (NLT)

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
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Reflection & Prayer:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved other believers as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us. Make us one in you; let your love flow in us, and through us to one another that the world may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Show us how to worship and pray together, to live and work together, to support one another in our common effort to make disciples throughout the world. Help us to remain in your love in spite of our rivalries, tensions and conflicts.

Lord God: We confess that “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.” Make us one body, united by the same Spirit, and called to the same glorious hope for the future. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“We Are One Body” – John Michael Talbot


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Wednesday of 7th Week of Easter, 31 May – John 17:12-19 ~ keep us safe

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: we confess that we have sinned against you and against our neighbor. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us.

Lord, God of heaven, look down and see your people who are in great trouble and distress. The evil one prowls this earth seeking to steal, kill, and destroy us. Protect us and deliver us from evil. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Reading: John 17:12-19 (NLT)

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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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ:

+ You have called us by name and we have followed you; we are your people, the sheep of your pasture. Thank you, Good Shepherd, our provider and protector.

+ You have chosen us to be your very own possession that we may show others your goodness. Thank you, Light of the world, for calling us out of the darkness into your wonderful light.

+ You have set us apart as temporary residents and foreigners in a hostile and unbelieving world. Thank you, Word of God, for teaching us and consecrating us in your truth.

+ You have given us your Spirit that we may lead honorable lives. Thank you, Spirit of Christ, for empowering us to live as citizens of your Kingdom – respecting everyone and loving the family of believers.

Lord our God: our rock, our fortress, our savior; protect us and keep us safe from the evil one.  Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Keep Us Safe” – Carrie Underwood


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 18:2-3 (NLT)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Tuesday of 7th Week of Easter, 30 May – John 17:1-11 ~ bring him glory

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, your Son Jesus Christ carried out the mission you had given him, without fear and in all faithfulness to you. God, give us a bit of his sense of mission. Give us the strength of the Spirit to speak your word as it is, bold and demanding, without compromising or giving in to the changing moods and fashions of the day. And may our lives be like an open book in which people can read your word. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 17:1-11a (NLT)

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.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: you have given us eternal life through your sacrificial obedience to the Father.

+ Thank you for your self-sacrifice on our behalf.
+ Thank you for your transparency in showing us the Father.
+ Thank you for displaying for us the glory of the only true God.
+ Thank you for bringing us the Good News of the Kingdom.

Lord Jesus: you have claimed us as your own; fill us with your Spirit that we may keep your word and bring you glory in our daily lives.
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“To God Be The Glory” – (Royal Albert Hall, London)


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 68:19-20 (NLT)

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!