Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Almighty God, give me grace to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that I may fix my heart on Jesus Christ your Son my Lord where true joy is to be found. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 90:17 (NLT)

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
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Reading: Isaiah 58:6-12 (NLT)

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

“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.
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Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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Prayer:

Gracious God: show us your approval and make our efforts successful.

+ Replace our heavy burdens with your burdens that are light and easy to bear.
+ Give us your humble, gentle heart and a willingness to follow your lead.
+ Open our eyes to the suffering and oppression that you see around us.
+ Use us to free the oppressed, care for the needy, and lighten the burdens of those in trouble.

Merciful God: you emptied yourself for us so that we might empty ourselves for you. Make our efforts successful that we may become your light in the darkness. Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Isaiah 58” – collin campbell

Oh how long will you cry out | And never truly seek my face | You come to me with heavy hearts | But you ignore what makes mine break

I see your thoughts, I hear your words | And I have watched you as you’ve prayed | I’ve told you my desires | But you don’t follow all the way

Children, I’m crying out

Break the chains | Let the oppressed go free | Empty yourselves to those in need | Be my hands | Be my feet | What you do unto them | You do unto Me

Every day you lift your voice | And await my swift response | But I see only what’s inside | And it’s (what i see on the inside) an offering I don’t want

Then your Salvation will come like the dawn | And my glory will be your shield | When you call on My name | I will not turn away | I am Your God | And I am here

And your light it will shine from the dark | You will be like a free flowing stream | And when you call on My name | I will not turn away |  I am your God | And I am here
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Blessing

• May God keep you in all your days.
• May Christ shield you in all your ways.
• May the Spirit bring you healing and peace.

May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you and pour upon you blessing and light.

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