Father,
You teach me mercy.
You are merciful to me, Lord. You use my relationships to teach me the gentle lessons of mercy's generous gifts. You use my circumstances to teach me to live a merciful life. But even now, my nature cries out for revenge rather than love and compassion. Give me a new heart -- one that is willing to carry the burdens of others, giving mercy in the same measure that I have received mercy from You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.
3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.
5 Your statutes stand firm;
holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.
Psalm 93 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 25:1-9 – Revelation 1:9-20 – John 7:53-8:11

Father,
You teach me how to love.
Every day is a fresh start. Every day is another opportunity to learn lessons in love. Love is patient, so I ask You to help me be patient. Love is kind, so I ask You to help me treat others with respect. Love is gentle, so I look to You to help me not to condemn myself or others for failure. You are Love, Lord. As I spend time in Your presence, show me what real love is. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 12:1-6 – Revelation 1:1-8 – John 7:37-52

Shoot of Jesse, our roots go back to that garden in Eden, to the paradise sold for an apple. The birth of your Son has reopened the gates of heaven and rained down blessings on our parched souls. As we relish the new light of the sun which nurtures our own "gardens" on earth, let us develop into real people who talk not about love but who actually practice the love of God (and through Him, love for their neighbors) with a radiant peace. Let us flower in the place you have given us. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 Praise the LORD. [a]
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):
Isaiah 35:1-10 – Revelation 22:12-21 – Luke 1:67-80

Christ, Our Redeemer, help us stand firm in the safety of your everlasting light and sustain us in the glorification of your works. Wash us clean with your grace, so that we may be released from our obsession with our own egos and our "own story." Fill our hearts with courage and faith so that we may seriously follow the path to holiness and saintliness. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
2 O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
Psalm 130 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 33:17-22 – Revelation 22:6-11,18-20 – Luke 1:57-66

Light of the world, shine forth on us and banish our fears and fickleness. As you are a gift freely given, remind us that as your children, our generosity should be untarnished by the expectations of rewards. Let each gift given this season be unadulterated by the need for reciprocity. Keep us from counting -- our losses, our gains, our goods, our bads, our costs, our profits. Instead we give you the record book so that you may judge us according to your standards, not our own. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

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 ;
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.
11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
Psalm 62 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 31:1-9 –Revelation 21:22-22:5 – Luke 1:39-56

Eternal Father, let the bells of Christmas signify gentleness as the answer to all violence, tenderness as the answer to the world's harshness, light as the answer to the dark shadows of our misunderstandings, hope as the answer to the meaning of life. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 I call on the LORD in my distress,
and he answers me.
2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.
3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom tree.
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7 I am a man of peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.
Psalm 120 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 10:5-19 – 2 Peter 2:17-22 – Matthew 11:2-15

Gloom-Slayer, come with the refreshing silence of your peace. Stifle the empty clamor of this too often secularized Christmas season, and set us free to reject the greed and waste so prevalent around us. Let us confirm our convictions without speech, praising you with our actions and our lives as dazzling witnesses to Christ. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 9:18-10:4 – 2 Peter 2:10-16 – Matthew 3:1-12

Giver of Peace, inspire all peoples with your meekness and humility of heart. Heal the strife and animosity that separate your sons and daughters and all the nations of the world. You who came to save us, endow us with loving intentions and loving actions. Let the peace of Bethlehem be with us always. Grant us the peace of justice, the peace of charity, and eternal peace with you. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Will the evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on God?
5 There they were, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
you put them to shame, for God despised them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalm 53 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 9:8-17 – 2 Peter 2:1-10 – Mark 1:1-8

The Light of God surrounds me;The Love of God enfolds me;The Power of God protects me;The Presence of God watches over me;Wherever I am, God is,And all is well.
- James Dillet Freeman

1 You showed favor to your land, O LORD;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people
and covered all their sins.
3 You set aside all your wrath
and turned from your fierce anger.
4 Restore us again, O God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
7 Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
Psalm 85 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 9:2-7 – 2 Peter 1:12-21 – Luke 22:54-69

The unknown is terrifying, responsibility is overwhelming, the untapped anger cannot be borne. Hear our cry, O God of love, for all so trapped in fear. Open our hearts to trust your presence to guide us in the unknown places; teach us to know you will support us in all that we undertake; free us to share with you the rage within, knowing you will never desert us.Amen.
- Vienna Cobb Anderson

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):
Isaiah 8:16-9:1 – 2 Peter 1:1-11 – Luke 22:39-53

Lord, I bow before you today and give you honor for placing Christ in my heart. Forgive my wavering and rootless wandering. Ground me in you as I read and study your Word. Root me in your loving ways of compassion and truth. Today help me walk humbly with my friend and brother, Jesus. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion
and appear in his glory.
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
he will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :
19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,
from heaven he viewed the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners
and release those condemned to death."
Psalm102 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 7:10-25 – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 – Luke 22:14-30

Blessed Lord, I am precious in your sight! What an affirmation to hang on to when feelings of self-doubt and discouragement overwhelm me. May the tribulations of this earthly life be as nothing when compared to the joy of new life in Christ. Help me reach out to others with your good news. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
20 The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
Psalm18 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 7:1-9 – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 – Luke 22:1-13

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Amen
(Anonymous)

1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge.
Psalm 50 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 6:1-13 – 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 – John 7:53-8:11

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 O Lord, the God of vengeance,
O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!
2 Arise, O judge of the earth.
Give the proud what they deserve.
12 Joyful are those you discipline, Lord,
those you teach with your instructions.
13 You give them relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug to capture the wicked.
14 The Lord will not reject his people;
he will not abandon his special possession.
15 Judgment will again be founded on justice,
and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it.
Psalm 94 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 5:18-25 – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 – Luke 21:29-38

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
(From the "Book of Common Prayer")

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 5:8-17 – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – Luke 21:20-28

Clement of Alexandria (ca 210)

O Lord, the Savior and Guardian of those who fear you, turn away from your Church the deceitful allurements of this world’s wisdom; that under the teaching of your Spirit, we may find pleasure in the prophetic oracles and the apostolic instruction, lest the vanity of falsehoods deceive those whom the truth illuminates; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalm 103 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 3:1-4:1 – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 – Luke 20:41-21:4

John of Damascus, Priest (ca 760)

Father,
You are the God of abundant blessings.
It's easy to lose sight of my own blessings when I am busy being envious of what others have. And it's easy to devalue who I am when I overvalue someone else because I am jealous. You show me that I am a person of faith and have no need to be envious because my personal journey through life and my experience is unique. You are the God who blesses me with more than enough. Help me, Lord, to open my eyes and see a new reality. Amen
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
Psalm 118 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 2:5-22 – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 – Luke 20:27-40

Francis Xavier, Missionary to Asia

Father,
I love You.
As a human being with needs and weaknesses, I do not love You perfectly. But I do love You, and I am learning how to perfect my love in You. I love You with my mind, delighting in Your wisdom. I love You with my heart, savoring our intimate communion. I love You with my strength, sharing Your love in practical ways with others. Lord, I love You. Teach me to love You better. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

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.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading): Isaiah 2:1-4 – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 – Luke 20:19-26