ALMIGHTY God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that you art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.1928 Book of Common Prayer

7 When you went out before your people, O God,
when you marched through the wasteland,
8 the earth shook,
the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announced the word,
and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:
12 "Kings and armies flee in haste;
in the camps men divide the plunder.
Psalm 68 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Daniel 5:13-20 – 1 John 5:13-21 – Luke 5:1-11

Catherine of Siena & Johannes “Meister” Eckhart

Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear. Preserve me, O ineffable Love, from every evil thought; warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love, and every pain will seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all my actions. Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.
Catherine of Siena

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 [b] 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):
Daniel 5:1-12 – 1 John 5:1-12 – Luke 4:38-44

Father, we thank you for the night, and for the pleasant morning light.For rest and food and loving care, and all that makes the day so fair.Help us to do the thing we should, to be to others kind and good,In all we do, in all we say, to grow more loving every day.
- Rebecca J. Weston

1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."
5 Come and see what God has done,
how awesome his works in man's behalf!
6 He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
Psalm 66 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Daniel 4:28-37 – 1 John 3:7-21 – Luke 4:31-37

O GOD, the King eternal, who divides the day from the darkness, and turns the shadow of death into the morning; Drive far off from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when the night cometh, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer 1928

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):
Daniel 4:19-27 – 1 John 3:19-4:6 – Luke 4:14-30

O God, who knows the weakness and corruption of our nature, and the manifold temptations which we daily meet with; we humbly beseech you to have compassion on our infirmities, and to give us the constant assistance of your Holy Spirit; that we may be effectually restrained from sin, and incited to our duty. Imprint upon our hearts such a dread of your judgments, and such a grateful sense of your goodness to us, as may make us both afraid and ashamed to offend you. And, above all, keep in our minds a lively remembrance of that great day, in which we must give a strict account of our thoughts, words, and actions to him whom thou hast appointed the Judge of quick and dead, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer 1928

1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.
2 As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away;
as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.
3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds—
his name is the LORD— and rejoice before him.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
Psalm 68 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Daniel 2:31-49 – 1 John 2:18-29 – Luke 3:1-14

ALMIGHTY God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess; Grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.1928 Book of Common Prayer

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):
Daniel 2:17-30 – 1 John 2:12-17 - John 17:20-26

Father,
You use my heart and hands to embrace the world.
Thank You, Lord, for sending me out to touch the world with Your love. In the process, I am reminded that Your love is always there for me, filling me up when I feel empty, healing me when I feel broken, giving my life value and meaning. Help me to remember that the love You have poured out on my life must be shared, and in the sharing, the reality of Your touch on my own life is revealed. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
Psalm 146 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Daniel 2:1-16 – 1 John 2:1-11 - John 17:12-19

Almighty God, You who see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(The Daily Office)

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
Psalm 97 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Daniel 1:1-21 – 1 John1:1-10 - John 17:1-11

O HEAVENLY Father, who has filled the world with beauty; Open, we implore you, our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him by whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
1928 Book of Common Prayer

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.
Psalm 96 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Daniel 12:1-4, 13 - Acts 4:1-12 - John 16:1-15

O Heavenly Father, you understand all your children; through your gift of faith we bring our concerns to the light of your wisdom, receive the blessed encouragement of your sympathy, and a clearer knowledge of your will. Glory be to you for all your gracious gifts. Amen1928 Book of Common Prayer

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!
3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Psalm 47 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Ezekiel 37:1-14 – Acts 3:11-26 - John 15:12-27

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.(From The Daily Office)

1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
2 Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
8 O LORD our God, you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.
9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain,
for the LORD our God is holy.
Psalm 99 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 7:7-15 – Acts 3:1-10 - John 15:1-11

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 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore what I did not steal.
5 You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.
Psalm 69 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Genesis 22:1-14 – 1 Peter 1:10-20 - John 13:36-38

Maundy Thursday – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Teacher & Martyr, 1945

The deceit, the lie of the devil consists of this that he wishes to make man believe that he can live without God's Word. Thus he dangles before man's fantasy a kingdom of faith, of power, and of peace, into which only he can enter who consents to the temptations; and he conceals from men that he, as the devil, is the most unfortunate and unhappy of beings, since he is finally and eternally rejected by God. (D. Bonhoeffer)

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")

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.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
96 To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless.
Psalm 119 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 20:7-18 – 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32 - John 17:1-26

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.(From The Daily Office)

1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim their words like deadly arrows.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!
Psalm 64 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading): Jeremiah 17:5-10,14-18 – Philippians 4:1-13 - John 12:27-36

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
(From The Daily Office)

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 Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 15:10-21 – Philippians 3:15-21 - John 12:20-26

Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(From "The Common Book of Prayer")

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
5You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted
Psalm 40 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 11:18-20; 12:1-16 – Philippians 3:1-14 - John 12:9-19

Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness.
Come, my Life, and revive me from death.
Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds.
Come, Flame of divine love, and burn up the thorns of my sins, kindling my heart with the flame of Thy love.
Come, my King, sit upon the throne of my heart and reign there.
For Thou alone art my King and my Lord. Amen
-- Dimitrii of Rostov

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 29:1-14 – Romans 11:13-24 - John 11:1-27

O MOST loving Father, it is your will that we give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you, who cares for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer 1928

15 My disgrace is before me all day long,
and my face is covered with shame
16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me,
because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you hide your face
and forget our misery and oppression?
26 Rise up and help us;
redeem us because of your unfailing love.
Psalm 44 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 26:1-24 – Romans 11:1-12 - John 10:19-42

O GOD of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength; By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray to you, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer 1928

1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."
2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.
3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:
4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Psalm 39 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 25:30-38 – Romans 10:14-21 - John 10:1-18