My Lord, I let so many things drown out Your still small voice, things that don't make any difference in the story of my eternal life with You. Forgive me for the times I interrupt and even ignore You when You are wanting to speak to me. By Your Holy Spirit, convict me of the distractions I give in to and point out those people who take me away from You. Help me be quiet so that I can hear Your Spirit speak to me. Please help me be still and rest in Your Holy presence so that I might know what You are saying to me. Let Your Word penetrate my soul so deeply that it speaks louder than the world, so that I will recognize Your voice above all the chaos and busyness of my days. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
(From "Prayers to My King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

1 Praise the Lord!
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.
3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.
5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
Psalm 146 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 2:16-23 – Acts 21:1-14 – Luke 5:12-26

Eternal God, though your power to redeem the world seems hidden from many who are wise and understanding, I stand in awe of you. Grant me a humble faith that I may be numbered among those who worship at the foot of the cross. When it is time for me to speak or act, grant me boldness through my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
Psalm 145 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 2:2-15 – Acts 20:17-38 – Luke 5:1-11

Lord Jesus, make of us good and fertile soil, for the reception of the seed of your grace, and make it yield worthy fruits of penance, so that with your help we may merit to live eternally in your glory, who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.
Anthony of Padua

1 Help, LORD, for the godly are no more;
the faithful have vanished from among men.
2 Everyone lies to his neighbor;
their flattering lips speak with deception.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue
4 that says, "We will triumph with our tongues;
we own our lips —who is our master?"
5 "Because of the oppression of the weak
and the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise," says the LORD.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times.
Psalm 12 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Esther 5:4-14 – Acts 18:12-28 – Luke 3:15-22

Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart,
and give me correct faith,
sure hope and perfect charity,
with understanding and knowledge, Lord,
so that I may fulfill your holy and true command,
Amen.
Francis of Assisi

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Esther 4:4-17 – Acts 18:1-11 – Luke 3:1-14

Blessed are you, loving Father, Ruler of the universe: You have given us Your Son as Your Leader, and have made us temples of Your Holy Spirit. Fill our family with Your light and peace. Have mercy on all who suffer, and bring us to everlasting joy with You. Father, we bless Your Name forever and ever.
Amen.

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.
Psalm 122 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Esther 1:1-4, 10-19 – Acts 17:1-15 – John 12:36b-43

Grant to us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast in your mercy; 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)

1 I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house with blameless heart.
3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
Psalm 54 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 28:1-28 – Acts 16:25-40 – John 12:27-36a

O Divine Lord, how shall I dare to approach You,
I who have so often offended You?
No, Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof;
but speak only the word and my soul shall be healed.

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
Psalm 54 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 42:1-17 – Acts 16:16-24 – John 12:20-26

Lord, Your Word says not to hide Your eternal light that is within me. And I do want others to know the hope You've given me. I want to have the boldness to burn brightly for You in this dark world.
So I ask You to help me not hide behind my fears of what others will think. Please shine Your light on those dark places in my heart that keep Your Holy Spirit from working through me. Make me into a star for You, a star that points people to heaven. Let my life reflect You in such a way that others will see Your loving kindness, tenderness, and mercy and be drawn to You and You alone.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
(From "Prayers to my King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

1 Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.
3 Strangers are attacking me;
ruthless men seek my life—
men without regard for God.
4 Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
7 For he has delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
Psalm 54 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 41:1-11 – Acts 16:6-15 – John 12:9-19

Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding, and my will.
All that I have and cherish You have given me. I surrender it all to be guided by Your will.
Your love and Your grace are wealth enough for me.
Give me these, Lord Jesus, I ask for nothing more.
Amen.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 40:1-24 – Acts 15:36-16:5 – John 11:55-12:8

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 31:24-40 – Acts 15:12-21 – John 11:30-44

Heavenly Father, we pray You to cradle our nation in Your arms as You did in its infancy. Only by living in the spirit of Your laws can we reach true liberty and maturity. Guide and foster leaders of integrity and righteousness with the vision and courage of our forefathers.
We pray You to till the soil of our nation with true ecumenism and renewal that all men will find the freedom and happiness that exists only through Your grace.
Amen.

1 How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
all who follow his ways!
2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be!
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
as they sit around your table.
4 That is the Lord’s blessing
for those who fear him.
5 May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.
May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
May Israel have peace!
Psalm 128 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 31:1-23 – Acts 15:1-11 – John 11:17-29

Lord, give me strength when every fiber of my body cries out in protest. When my impulse is to cave in "just this once" bolster my willpower. I am a creature of habit, Lord. Help me find new, pure ones to replace the old. And until those are second nature, bear me up when my resolve is tested and tried. Help me see beyond this moment - to sacrifice this small, fleeting pleasure for my future good - to preserve this temple You have bestowed upon me. Amen.
(Susan Scott)

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 135 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 30:1-2, 16-31 – Acts 14:19-28 – John 11:1-16

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of a new day. Thank You for the sleep which has refreshed me and for the chance to begin life again today. I welcome this new day as Your gift to me, and in its first moments, I offer myself to you. Father, I will quietly and serenely receive from Your hand the work and burden of this day: its joys, its sorrows, its challenges, its responsibilities and its opportunities. Bless this day for me, for those I love, and for all Your children. To us all, grant your provisions for our needs today and the grace to see this day in the light of eternity.
Amen.

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord!
Praise him, you who serve the Lord,
2 you who serve in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
celebrate his lovely name with music.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel for his own special treasure.
5 I know the greatness of the Lord—
that our Lord is greater than any other god.
Psalm 135 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 29:1-20 – Acts 14:1-18 – John 10:31-42

Eternal God,
in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion - inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.
Amen.

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
4 We have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
Psalm 123 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 32:1-10, 19-33:1, 19-28 – Acts 13:44-52 – John 10:19-30

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
St Augustine of Hippo

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
Psalm 97 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 19:1-7, 14-27 – Acts 13:13-27 – John 9:18-41

O my God,
Because you are infinite goodness and worthy of infinite love, I love you with my whole heart above all things, and for love of you I love my neighbor as myself. I forgive all who have offended me and ask pardon of all whom I have offended.

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 14:1-22 – Acts 12:18-25 – John 8:47-59

Lord, set me free from trying to fit in to a world that so easily grabs hold of and twists my identity. I don't want to be molded any longer by man-made idols and human values. I want You to fashion my character and make me a reflection of You.
So, by Your Holy Spirit, warn me when I'm walking in the ways of the world and renew in me a heart that's right with You. Give me the passion to bless people so that I will stop wasting my life trying to merely impress them.
I believe that You can deliver me from the temptation to let others shape my identity and from my desire to please everyone around me. Lord, help me care more about what You think than what others think. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(From "Prayers to My King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

1 My heart is steadfast, O God;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
2 Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
6 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
Psalm 108 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 13:3-17, 21-27 – Acts 12:1-17 – John 8:33-47

O Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your Apostles: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you," regard not my sins but the faith of Your Church, and consent to give her peace and unity according to Your will:
Who live and reign, God, Forever and ever.
Amen.

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Job 12:1-6, 13-25 – Acts 11:19-30 – John 8:21-32