God, let me grow in the area of patience. Help me to remember when You make a squash it takes four weeks, but when You make a strong oak it takes a hundred years. Let me be patient knowing that You're working miracles in my life as You "grow me" into Your likeness. Amen.
(From the "Light for My Path" series)

1 Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
Psalm 127 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Judges 4:4-23 – Acts 1:15-26 – Matthew 27:55-66

Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your name; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From “The Book of Common Prayer (1928)”)

1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Psalm 134 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Judges 3:12-30 – Acts 1:1-14 – Matthew 27:45-54

– Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany

O God, you have brought us to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect: Grant us during our earthly pilgrimage to abide in their fellowship, and in our heavenly country to become partakers of their joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From “Ancient Collects and Other Prayers”)

6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
7 Let the assembled peoples gather around you.
Rule over them from on high;
8 let the LORD judge the peoples.
Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
9 O righteous God,
who searches minds and hearts,
bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure.
10 My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
Psalm 4 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Judges 2:1-5, 11-23 – Romans 16:17-27 – Matthew 27:32-44

– Johann Sebastian Bach

When I am tempted to find pride or purpose in anything else, let me hear the sweet, strong tone of your name, Prince of Peace. May it guide me and echo around every turn of my way. Shape my mouth to witness and praise. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
Psalm 4 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 24:16-23 – Romans 16:1-16 – Matthew 27:24-31

St. James the Elder

O gracious God, We remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the name of Jesus Christ. Pour out upon the leaders of your church that spirit of self-denying service which is the true mark of authority of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(from The Lutheran Book of Worship)

1 O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
2 You have granted him the desire of his heart
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
length of days, for ever and ever.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken.
13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength;
we will sing and praise your might.
Psalm 21 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 9:22-10:15 – Romans 15:14-24 – Matthew 27:1-10

Omnipotent God, people call upon you in so many ways, using so many names. Open my eyes to see your mighty strength at work in the humiliation of your Son, so that by brave speech and an upright life, I may bear trustworthy witness to your saving power through the life, death, and Resurrection of Christ. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave [a] came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
Psalm 116 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 9:3-21 – Romans 15:1-13 – Matthew 26:69-75

Father,
You are my Help and my Salvation.
Thank You for the wonderful gifts You have given me. You have provided me with abundant blessings and the help I need. You have never let me down. Today, when I need Your help once again, there is no shame in asking. It is my joy to come to You with my needs and Your delight to provide for each need with wisdom and love. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
Psalm 91 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 8:30-35 – Romans 14:13-23 – Matthew 26:57-68

Lord, you are to be blessed and praised;
all good things come from you:
you are in our words and in our thoughts, and in all that we do.
Amen.
- Teresa of Avila

1 Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the utterance from my heart will give understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:
16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich,
when the splendor of his house increases;
17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies,
his splendor will not descend with him.
Psalm 49 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 7:1-13 – Romans 13:8-14 – Matthew 26:36-46

Father in Heaven, You made me Your child and called me to walk in the Light of Christ. Free me from darkness and keep me in the Light of Your Truth. The Light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to that Light, I ask for Your guidance. Form my life in Your Truth, my heart in Your Love. Give me the power of Your Grace that I may walk in the Light of Jesus and serve Him faithfully.
Amen

1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock;
you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might; come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Psalm 80 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 3:14-4:7 – Romans 12:1-16 – Matthew 26:1-16

Almighty God, my Eternal Father, from the fullness of my soul I adore You.
I am deeply grateful that You have made me in Your image and likeness,
and that You ever hold me in Your loving embrace.
Direct me to love You with all my heart, with all my soul, and with my whole mind.
Direct me to love all Your children as I love myself.
O, my Father, my soul longs to be united to You, and to rest in You forever.
Have the Holy Spirit touch my soul so that I may love You as He does,
and as Your Beloved Son Jesus does.
Amen.

1 Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
2 It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth.
Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
the city of the Great King.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty,
in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
10 Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Psalm 48 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 3:1-13 – Romans 11:25-36 – Matthew 25:31-46

Father,
I send my roots deep in Your love.
I love you, Father. I come to You, knowing that I will find rest in Your presence. You are my hope and my Salvation. When I am looking for what gives my life meaning, You are the answer. My restless, yearning heart will find no peace until it finds You. You are the One who renews me and enables me to flourish and grow, fulfilling Your every purpose for my life. Amen
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 2:15-24 – Romans 11:13-24 – Matthew 25:14-30

Father,
I trust You through each day.
Every day I have a choice. I can choose to lean on my own understanding, or I can choose to trust You. Sometimes You speak through my common sense understanding. Sometimes You teach me to walk by faith and not by sight. Regardless of my situation, I will listen every day for Your guidance in my life. Thank You, Lord, for faithfully walking beside me all the way. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
Psalm 9 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Joshua 2:1-14 – Romans 11:1-12 – Matthew 25:1-13

Father,
You teach me to seek happiness in the small pleasures.
You have shown me, Lord, that every day is sacred to You, filled with small pleasures that bring joy and happiness to my life. I will see them if I am faithful to pause and look for them - a bird singing in the tree outside my window, a rose in full bloom, a child at play, and so much more. I am surrounded by countless blessings, gifts of love from Your hand. I'm so grateful for Your goodness to me. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"
5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.
Psalm 70 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 24-32:4 – Romans 10:1-13 – Matthew 24:15-31

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer 1979

1 Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."
3 As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. [b]
4 The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
Psalm 16 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Deuteronomy 3:18-28 – Romans 9:19-33 – Matthew 24:1-14

Father,
I send my roots deep in Your love.
I love you, Father. I come to You, knowing that I will find rest in Your presence. You are my hope and my Salvation. When I am looking for what gives my life meaning, You are the answer. My restless, yearning heart will find no peace until it finds You. You are the One who renews me and enables me to flourish and grow, fulfilling Your every purpose for my life. Amen
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
5 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?
Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?
Psalm 89 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Deuteronomy 1:1-18 – Romans 9:1-18 – Matthew 23:27-39

Father,
You are a trustworthy Guide.
What would I do without You, Lord. You answer before I call. You guide me even when I do not know I am being guided. Circumstances arrange themselves without my needing to manipulate them. Help comes from unexpected sources. When I travel with You, even the unknown places are safer than a known way. Thank You for guiding me through my current situation and opening and closing doors before me. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.
Psalm 71 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 35:1-3,9-15,30-34 – Romans 8:31-39 – Matthew 23:13-26

Father,
I find true happiness in You.
You have taught me that I once longed for a happiness completely dependent on circumstances. But now I know that true and lasting happiness flows from my relationship with You. As I spend time with You, my heart is gladdened. You make me happy from the inside out. And that allows me to live in an attitude of happiness rather than a feeling that comes and goes. Thank You for this wonderful gift. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the "gods":
2 "How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?”
3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.
Psalm 82 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 32:1-6,16-27 – Romans 8:26-30 – Matthew 23:1-12

Prayer for the Nation
With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds... to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
- Abraham Lincoln

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 40 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 24:1-13 – Romans 8:12-17 – Matthew 22:15-22

O God, I keep hoping to find strength and security within myself, but I know my life is weak and momentary. Forgive my foolish pride. Help me anchor my hopes in the gracious appearing of your Son. Lead me to rejoice in Him, and boldly declare your life-giving power to all, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
Psalm 106 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 22:41-23:12 – Romans 7:13-25 – Matthew 22:33-46

Almighty God, by the death of your Son you have destroyed sin and death and by his resurrection you have restored innocence and everlasting life so that, delivered from the power of the evil one we may live in your kingdom: Grant that we may believe this with our whole heart, and steadfast in this faith, may praise and thank you evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(From “The Gregorian Sacramentary”)

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psalm 36 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 22:31-38 – Romans 7:1-12 – Matthew 21:23-32