Mary, Martha and Lazarus Of Bethany


Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose Son blessed by his Presence the home of Lazarus and Mary and Martha in Bethany: grant that, like Martha, we may serve Christ faithfully in the person of our brothers and sisters; and that, like Mary, we may feed on his Word and grow in his love and grace; and that, like Lazarus, we may be brought forth from death to new life in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
   your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
   your judgments are like the great deep;
   man and beast you save, O LORD.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
   The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
   and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
   in your light do we see light.
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
     and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Psalm 36 – English Standard 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

Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Henry Purcell


Almighty God, beautiful in majesty and majestic in holiness, who teaches us in Holy Scripture to sing your praises and who gave your musicians Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Henry Purcell grace to show forth your glory in their music: Be with all those who write or make music for your people, that we on earth may glimpse your beauty and know the inexhaustible riches of your new creation in Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD,
    or declare all his praise?
3 Blessed are they who observe justice,
   who do righteousness at all times!
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people;
   help me when you save them,
5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,
   that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,
   that I may glory with your inheritance.
Psalm 106 – English Standard 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 God, we pray for all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks in Norway. We pray for the innocent people who were injured as well as the family and friends of all who were killed. The whole nation suffers with them, Lord; the whole world. We ask that you will be with the emergency workers as they deal with the carnage, assist police and intelligence officers as they seek out those responsible. Grant politicians and other decision makers wisdom to respond appropriately. Comfort all those who have had their sense of security shattered by these attacks and empower all of us to overcome hatred and violence wherever we encounter them. We ask all of this in the name of your beloved Son, Amen.


1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
  He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
   He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
   you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
   and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23 – English Standard 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

Parents of the Virgin Mary


Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:
    "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
     their sons also forever shall sit on your throne."
13 For the LORD has chosen Zion;
     he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14"This is my resting place forever;
      here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
     I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
     and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
      I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
Psalm 132 – English Standard 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

St James the Elder

O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1 O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
   save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
   rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
3 O LORD my God, if I have done this,
   if there is wrong in my hands,
4 if I have repaid my friend with evil
   or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it,
   and let him trample my life to the ground
   and lay my glory in the dust.
6 Arise, O LORD, in your anger;
    lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies;
    awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.
7  Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you;
    over it return on high.
Psalm 7 – English Standard Version

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

Mary Magdalene


Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
   so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
   while they say to me all the day long,
   "Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
   how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
   with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you in turmoil within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
   my salvation 6 and my God.

Psalm 42 – English Standard Version

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

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 I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
    to you, O LORD, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.
   Oh when will you come to me?
   I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
   I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;
   I will know nothing of evil.
5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy.
   Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
   that they may dwell with me;
   he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.
 Psalm 101 – English Standard 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

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Ross Tubman


Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your name; 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” (1928))

1 Praise the Lord!
   Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
   I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
   in mortals, in whom there is no help.
4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
    on that very day their plans perish.
5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
   whose hope is in the Lord their God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
    the sea, and all that is in them;
    who keeps faith for ever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed;
   who gives food to the hungry
 Psalm 146 – New Revised Standard 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

Bartolome de Las Casas


Eternal God, we give you thanks for the witness of Bartolomé de las Casas, whose deep love for your people caused him to refuse absolution to those who would not free their Indian slaves. Help us, inspired by his example, to work and pray for the freeing of all enslaved people of our world, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer

9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear?
   He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke?
     He who teaches man knowledge—
11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man,
     that they are but a breath.
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD,
     and whom you teach out of your law,
13 to give him rest from days of trouble,
     until a pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the LORD will not forsake his people;
      he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous,
     and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Psalm 94 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 25:1-22 - Acts 14:1-18 - Mark 4:21-34

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
   for in you my soul takes refuge;
   in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
   till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
   to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
   he will put to shame him who tramples on me.
  God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
   I lie down amid fiery beasts—
   the children of man, 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 – English Standard Version

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

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, you have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. All is yours.
Dispose of it wholly according to your will give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for me.
Ignatius of Loyola

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
   Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
   Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
   so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
   and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
   more than watchmen wait for the morning,
   more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Psalm 130 English Standard Version
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 3:7-19

God, Your ways, Your wisdom, Your guidance are so precious, so perfect, so life-giving. They are always spoken in the purest love, and specifically for me.

You lead me moment by moment. When I have a need, Your love never fails. Your wisdom never falls short.
But, Lord, I fear at times that I miss some of Your most delicate, most tender, most precious words to me. I fear Your voice is drowned out by the noise of my own plans and foolish desires.
God, bless me with the grace to I set aside my desires and open myself to You. When You speak, I want to hear every whisper. Amen.
(From "Simple Prayers")

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
10In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
12The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
13but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.

Psalm 37 English Standard 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

We give you thanks, most gracious God, for the beauty of earth and sky and sea; for the richness of mountains, plains, and rivers; for the songs of birds and the loveliness of flowers. We praise you for these good gifts, and pray that we may safeguard them for our posterity. Grant that we may continue to grow in our grateful enjoyment of your abundant creation, to the honor and glory of your Name, now and for ever. Amen.



15But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me,
who boast against me when my foot slips!"
17For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is ever before me.
18I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
21Do not forsake me, O LORD!
O my God, be not far from me!
22 Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

Psalm 38 English Standard Version

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

Nathan Söderblom


Almighty God, we bless your Name for the life and work of Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala, who helped to inspire the modern liturgical revival and worked tirelessly for cooperation among Christians. Inspire us by his example, that we may ever strive for the renewal of your Church in life and worship, for the glory of your Name; who with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


1To you, O LORD, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.[a]
3Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
5Because they do not regard the works of the LORD or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.
6Blessed be the LORD!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

Psalm 28 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

1 Samuel 19:1-18 - Acts 12:1-17 - Mark 2:1-12

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 17:17-30 - Acts 10:34-48 - Mark 1:1-13

Jan Hus, Martyr - 1415

Most kind God, without you we can do nothing, and unless you draw us we cannot follow you: Give us, we pray, a courageous spirit, a fearless heart, a true faith, a sure hope and perfect love, that with great patience and joy we may offer our lives to you; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen
Jan Hus (rev. Pfatteicher)

3O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
5The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
6You destroy those who speak lies;
the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
Psalm 5 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 16:1-13 - Acts 10:1-16 - Luke 24:12-35

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

1 My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
3I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,
give salvation by your right hand and answer me!
Psalm 108 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 15:24-35 - Acts 9:32-43 - Luke 23:56-24:11