John Bunyan, Teacher – click underlined section for more info

Lord, you say that no man may be drawn to you unless you draw him. Therefore, Lord, I pray that you will draw all people to you, regardless of how sinful they are. I never deserved to be drawn to you, Lord, and yet in your great mercy you drew me. If people around me know my great wickedness as you do, they would marvel at the great goodness you have shown to me. If you can make such an unworthy creature as me worthy to be your servant, then you can turn the lowest sinner into the highest saint. I beg that you will turn all sinners into saints. Amen.
(Margery Kempe)

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young— a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
Psalm 84 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 13:23-39 – Acts 20:17-38 – Mark 9:42-50

Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Teacher – click underlined section for more info

Eternal God,
The light of the minds that you know,
The joy of the hearts that love you,
The strength of the wills that serve you:
Help us to know you that we may truly love you,
So to love you that we may gladly serve you,
In the glory of you holy Name
Augustine, Bishop of Hippo

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.
9 Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 12:1-14 – Acts 19:21-41 – Mark 9:14-29

Monica, Mother of Augustine

O Lord, who through spiritual discipline strengthened your Servant Monnica to persevere in offering her love and prayers and tears for the conversion of her husband and of Augustine their son: Deepen our devotion, we pray, and use us in accordance with your will to bring others, even our own kindred, to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.

12 The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.
14 May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man.
17 It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to silence;
18 it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 115 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 11:1-27 – Acts 19:11-20 – Mark 9:2-13

Father,
I praise You in all circumstances.
You are Lord over all, and I thank You for Your presence in each circumstance of my life. When I am happy, I praise You for the joy of living. When I am sad, I thank You for Your loving care. When I am worried, You ask me to set aside my fears and take time to give You the honor and glory. I speak and sing freely in Your presence in every circumstance because Your love has given me a song to sing. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself
too much to detect or hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful;
he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 Even on his bed he plots evil;
he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.
5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 36 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 9:1-13 – Acts 19:1-10 – Mark 8:34-9:1

- St. Bartholomew, Apostle

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
Psalm 91 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 7:1-17 – Acts 18:1-11 – Mark 8:11-21

O GOD, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek your kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance; Send us, we beseech you, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1928 Book of Common Prayer

1 Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;
4 this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
7 In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
Psalm 81 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 5:1-12 – Acts 17:1-15 – Mark 7:24-37

Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux (click on underlined link for more information)

O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

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.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Psalm 139 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 4:1-12 – Acts 16:25-40 – Mark 7:1-23

Father,
You help me to live wisely.
It's easy to identify the obvious mistakes like addiction and abuse. But there is also a way that seems right in our eyes but leads to destruction as surely as drugs and weapons. Thank You, Lord, for arranging my priorities for the highest good, for correcting me when I need to change my course. I am not alone. You walk beside me, guiding me away from danger. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalm 91 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 3:22-39 – Acts 16:16-24 – Mark 6:47-56

Almighty God, grant to your Church your Holy Spirit and the wisdom which comes down from heaven, that your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve you and in the confession of your name may abide to the end; through Jesus Christ our Lord.(Lutheran Book of Worship)

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) 2 Samuel 3:6-21 – Acts 16:6-15 – Mark 6:30-46

The Churchwide Assembly is in session in Minneapolis. Please remember to hold our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in your prayers throughout this week.

Lord of all Creation,All that you have made gives you praise and glory - in wisdom you have made them all. Help us to acknowledge you in all that we do and seek to bring glory to you by our faithfulness and obedience to your Word, through the power of your Holy Spirit. Give your blessing to those who gather for the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA, that your wisdom may be given to them in their deliberations and decisions. In Jesus' name, Amen.From the Rev Marshall Hahn STS

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 Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 2:1-11 – Acts 15:36-16:5 – Mark 6:14-29

The Churchwide Assembly begins today. Please remember to hold our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in your prayers throughout this week.

August 14, 2009

Lord God the creator of all things, Your Spirit moved over the face of the waters at the dawn of creation. You gather the seas into their places and direct the courses of the rivers. We praise you for the gift of water. Now our land is dry and barren, thirsting for life-giving rain Send rain upon the earth so that it will bring forth life. May we use only the water we each need and let us take care of and give encouragement to all those whose livelihood depends on the produce of the land. Amen
From Bishop Joseph Grech,

1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin,
my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Psalm 32 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 31:1-13 – Acts 15:12-21 – Mark 5:21-43

Florence Nightingale And Clara Maass

“Merciful God, Your healing power is everywhere about us. Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in all they do. Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails. Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying. May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace; through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.”

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)
1 Samuel 28:3-20 – Acts 15:1-11 – Mark 5:1-20

Father,
My help and strength come from You.
I have done all that I can, Lord. Now I come to You with a humble heart, asking You to step in and rescue me from this circumstance in my life. I lay myself and my concerns at Your feet, for You are my Hope and my Salvation. Though I am weak, You are strong. You are glorified even in the weakness of Your children, for You love to give us what we need. You are my Helper, and You renew my strength. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be upon Israel.
Psalm 125 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading) 1 Samuel 25:23-44 – Acts 14:19-28 – Mark 4:35-41

Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Almighty God, who called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom: Grant that we, following his example, may fulfil your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

1 Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
Psalm 112 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 24:1-22 – Acts 13:44-52 – Mark 4:1-20

O GOD, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek your kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance; Send us, we beseech you, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1928 Book of Common Prayer

1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away,
and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
Psalm 32 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 21:1-15 – Acts 13:13-25 – Mark 3:7-19a

Father,
You are worthy to be praised.
What a wonderful work You have done in my life. And what an incredible salvation You have wrought for the earth. You are the great Creator who has made the natural world to be so beautiful. You are the compassionate Redeemer who has saved us from our sin. You are the loving Father who holds the whole world in His hands. You are worthy to be praised. What an honor it is to worship You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

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.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
Psalm 99 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 20:24-42 – Acts 13:1-12 – Mark 2:23-3:6

Almighty and Eternal Father, in whose law is our life, and whose mercy is everlasting, We come as humble as we know how, asking for healing of our minds, bodies and souls. We come in great faith that in Your word You did say, "Ask, and it shall be given, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and the door will be open." We ask in the precious name of Jesus that You would grant us healing of the mind, that we might glorify and give witness to the unlimited love and blessings received each day of our lives.
We thank You, dear Father, we know that You can and we know that You will. Amen.
(Lillie Kate Benitez)

1 Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
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 Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 20:1-23 – Acts 12:18-25 – Mark 2:13-22

Father,
You give me the gift of life.
From my first breath to my last, You surround me with Your love and care. I praise You for the goodness of this earthly life. I thank You for the gift of breath and health and loved ones and worthwhile work to do. I thank You for my heavenly home, the place where I will one day see You face to face. I thank You for 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 [b] ;
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 Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 19:1-24 – Acts 12:1-17 – Mark 2:1-12

Father,
I am surrounded by Your love.
I am not alone in any situation. You are always present, surrounding me with Your love. Like a mighty fortress, this wall of love protects me from the arrows of the enemy. Yet I am never boxed in or coerced, for Your love sets me free. Because of Your love, I dare to be who I am and reach out to a world in need. Help me, Lord, to trust in You more and more each day. 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.
7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
Psalm 9 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 18:5-30 – Acts 11:19-30 – Mark 1:29-45