Reformation Day

Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Nahum 2:13-3:7 – Revelation 13:1-10 – Luke 12:13-31

Father,
You are the Anchor of my soul.
It's easy for me, Lord, to drift from one opinion to another. But in this stormy time of trouble and doubt, my soul needs a safe harbor and a sturdy anchor. You are my Anchor, grounding me in the truth. You are my safe Harbor, surrounding me with Your love. I may be tossed by rough waters, but I am never lost, for You are my everlasting Hope. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.
Psalm 138 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Nahum 1:15-2:12 – Revelation 12:7-17 – Luke 11:53-12:12

Grant us O Lord to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain, that reaching the eventide victorious over all temptation through your ever present aid we may praise you, the eternal God, Governor of all things and blessed evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord
(from Mozarabic Sacramentary)

8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
13 Your arm is endued with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
Psalm 89 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Nahum 1:1-14 – Revelation 12:1-6 – Luke 11:37-52

October 28, 2008 – St Simon and St Jude, Apostles

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude: and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(Book of Common Prayer)

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
Psalm 119 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jonah 3:1-4:11 – Revelation 11:14-19 – Luke 11:27-36

October 23, 2008 - St James of Jerusalem, Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Father,
You are my eternal Joy.
One day the sorrow and suffering of this earthly life will be over. I comfort myself with Your promise of eternal joy. I am Your child, and You guide me gently on my pilgrimage through this world. But You also remind me that my true home is with You, where the saints shall rejoice forever in Your love. Help me to keep my eyes focused on eternal realities. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 5:1-4,10-15 – Revelation 9:1-12 – Luke 10:25-37

Father,
You bring my hopes and dreams to pass.
As I choose to live in Your will and continue to plant the good seed of faith in the soil of my life, I know that You are giving me favor and leading me in the ways of success. As a farmer patiently waters, weeds, and waits for the seed to grow, so I wait for You to bring my dreams to realization. I thank You that even as I wait for fulfillment, You promise my time will one day come. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

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 132 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 3:9-4:5 – Revelation 8:1-13 – Luke 10:17-24

Father, You heal me.
Sometimes, Lord, I wonder about suffering. I wonder why some are healed but others are not. I know from Your Word that it is Your intention for all Your children to live in health. Therefore, I choose to trust You when healing is evident. And I also trust You when it is not. I trust You when I understand and when I do not. I trust You because I will never be disappointed when I place my trust in You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

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 73 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 3:1-8 – Revelation 7:9-17 – Luke 10:1-16

Father God, in baptism you have made me your own. And because I am your own, I know that I am protected, and nurtured in your loving grace. Thank you for making me yours and setting me free from the bonds of sin and death. Abba, Father, I am grateful. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalm 73 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 2:1-13 –Revelation 7:1-8 – Luke 9:51-62

Dear Lord, I thank you for the numerous people who have gone before me as great witnesses of your love. I praise you that their faith stories have been told again and again and that I learn and am strengthened by them. May I live my life as a bold witness for you! Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Psalm 96 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 13:4-8 – Acts 27:27-44 – John 9:18-27

October 15, 2008 – Teresa of Avila

“Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
attributed to Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 13:1-3 – Acts 27:9-26 – John 9:1-17

October 14, 2008

Lord, Settle My Soul
O Lord, this is all my desire -- to walk along the path of life that Thou hast appointed me, even as Jesus my Lord would walk along it, in steadfastness of faith, in meekness of spirit, in lowliness of heart, in gentleness of love. And because outward events have so much power in scattering my thoughts and disturbing the inward peace in which alone the voice of Thy spirit is heard, do Thou, gracious Lord, calm and settle my soul by that subduing power which alone can bring all thoughts and desires of the heart into captivity to Thyself. All I have is Thine; do Thou with all as seems best to Thy divine will; for I know not what is best. Let not the cares or duties of this life press on me too heavily; but lighten my burden, that I may follow Thy way in quietness, filled with thankfulness for Thy mercy, and rendering acceptable service unto Thee.
- Maria Hare (1798-1870)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 12:2-14 – Acts 26:24-27:8 – Luke 8:40-56

Father,
You give me patience and understanding.
When I feel anger building inside me, I find my refuge and strength in You. You help me to cool off -- and give the situation time to resolve, if possible, on its own. You help me see my troubles from a higher perspective. When someone troubles me, You urge me to acknowledge my pain and then move beyond it to offer forgiveness and lovingkindness to the person who has wronged me. Amen. (From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

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.
16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
at your rebuke your people perish.
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.
Psalm 80 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 11:12-12:1 – Acts 26:1-23 – Luke 8:26-39

Jesus, You were never unfaithful. You were never rushed. You gladly took time with people. They were Your agenda.
Jesus, in my thinking, in my speaking, in the decisions I make, in my reactions to others, when I am inconvenienced, when I am under pressure, flavor my life with Your love. Keep me in You, and at peace in You. Jesus, flavor my life with Your love. Amen.
(From "Simple Prayers" by Ken Bible)

3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
4 O LORD God Almighty,
how long will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, O God Almighty;
make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
Psalm 48 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 9:1-9 – Acts 24:1-23 – Luke 7:36-50

Father,
You are the Source of my confident faith.
In every situation, You are my Provider and Protector. In every relationship, You are my Peacemaker. You guide me all of the time, wherever I go, helping me to navigate each obstacle as it appears in my path. You are totally trustworthy and will never let me down. Because I depend on You, I am confident that help will come at exactly the right time. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

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.
3 God is in her citadels;
he has shown himself to be her fortress.
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.
Psalm 48 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 8:1-14 – Acts 23:23-35 – Luke 7:18-35

Father,
You will bring peace to the earth.
The world is at war with itself. Every day in newspapers and on television I see scenes of strife. Even in my own home and workplace, I struggle to get along with others. Peace is Your miracle. It begins with transformed hearts. In Your plan, the fullness of time will bring peace to the entire world. Until that time, help me to appreciate Your promises of peace and joy. 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):
Hosea 7:8-16 – Acts 23:12-24 – Luke 7:1-17

I thank you, God, for the simplicity of faith in you. Jesus made it simple, and I sometimes make it so complicated. You know how I get tangled in webs of confusion and doubt. I pray for a renewed, child-like faith and the time today to rest in the good news of the cross. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

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.
6 Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.
Psalm 9 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 6:7-7:7 – Acts 22:30-23:11 – Luke 6:39-49

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
- St. Francis of Assisi

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away
Psalm 148 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 4:11-19 – Acts 21:37-22:16 – Luke 6:12-26

Father,
You reward worthy work.
Even though I know that honest work is pleasing in Your eyes, it's easy to be frustrated by those who do what they should not and prosper while I work so hard just to make ends meet. Help me to remember that Your rewards extend beyond mere money. I submit my work to You and thank You for the opportunity to please You in it. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 4:1-10 – Acts 21:27-39 – Luke 5:1-11

God, left to myself I am a frail child of dust, knowing only what my eyes can see and my hands can touch. But through your word you call me to rise up out of my dust and become your own child again through faith. Amazing grace! What can I offer but my humble thanks and praise, through Christ the Living Word. Amen
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Praise the LORD.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The LORD sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
Psalm 147 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Hosea 3:1-5 – Acts 21:15-26 – Luke 5:27-39