God of hosts, from whom every good gift proceeds, implant in our hearts the love of your name. Nurture within us whatever is good by binding us more closely to you, and in your watchful care tend the good fruit you have nurtured. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

1 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,

    and to you shall vows be performed.
2 O you who hear prayer,
    to you shall all flesh come.
3 When iniquities prevail against me,
    you atone for our transgressions.
4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
    to dwell in your courts!
   We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
    the holiness of your temple!
 5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
    O God of our salvation,
    the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;
6 the one who by his strength established the mountains,
    being girded with might;
7 who stills the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples,
8 so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth
   are in awe at your signs.
   You make the going out of the morning
   and the evening to shout for joy.

Psalm 65 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

 (click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 49:1-12 - Galatians 2:11-21 - Mark 6:13-29

Almighty God, from whom every good gift proceeds, grant that by your inspiration we may discern those things that are right and, by your merciful guidance, do them. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

1 O God, save me by your name,

    and vindicate me by your might.

2 O God, hear my prayer;

    give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 For strangers have risen against me;

    ruthless men seek my life;

    they do not set God before themselves.

4 Behold, God is my helper;

    the Lord is the upholder of my life.

5 He will return the evil to my enemies;

    in your faithfulness put an end to them.

6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;

    I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.

7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,

    and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Psalm 54 – New English Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 48:12-21 – Galatians 1:18-2:10 - Mark 6:1-13

Thomas Aquinas

Almighty God, you have enriched your Church with the singular learning and holiness of your servant Thomas Aquinas: Enlighten us more and more, we pray, by the disciplined thinking and teaching of Christian scholars, and deepen our devotion by the example of saintly lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

97 Oh how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

    for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

    for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

    for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

    in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,

    for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

    therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119 – New English Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 48:1-11 – Galatians 1:1-17 - Mark 5:21-43

The Conversion of the Apostle Paul

O God, who by the preaching of your apostle Paul have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; 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 Praise the Lord, all you nations!

   Applaud him, all you foreigners!

2 For his loyal love towers over us,

   and the Lord’s faithfulness endures.

   Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117 – New English Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 45:18-25 – Ephesians 6:1-9 - Mark 4:35-41

Francis de Sales

O God, you gave your blessed bishop Francis de Sales the spirit of compassion to befriend all on the way to salvation. By his example, lead us to show your gentle love in the service of our fellow men. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

9 Does the one who makes the human ear not hear?

   Does the one who forms the human eye not see?

10 Does the one who disciplines the nations not punish?

    He is the one who imparts knowledge to human beings!

11 The Lord knows that

     peoples’ thoughts are morally bankrupt.

12 How blessed is the one whom you instruct, O Lord,

     the one whom you teach from your law,

13 in order to protect him from times of trouble,

    until the wicked are destroyed.

14 Certainly the Lord does not forsake his people;

     he does not abandon the nation that belongs to him.

15 For justice will prevail,

    and all the morally upright will be vindicated.

Psalm 94 – New English Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 45:5-17 – Ephesians 5:15-33 - Mark 4:21-34

Phillips Brooks

O everlasting God, who revealed truth to your servant Phillips Brooks, and so formed and molded his mind and heart that he was able to mediate that truth with grace and power: Grant, we pray, that all those whom you call to preach the Gospel may steep themselves in your word, and conform their lives to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

7 They go from strength to strength;

    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

    give ear, O God of Jacob!

9 Behold our shield, O God;

    look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better

    than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

    the Lord bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold

    from those who walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts,

    blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Psalm 84 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 44:24-45:7 – Ephesians 5:1-14 - Mark 4:1-20

Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon and Martyr (ca 304)

Eternal Father, You gave your deacon Vincent the courage to endure torture and death for the Gospel: fill us with Your Spirit and strengthen us in Your love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

12 What shall I render to the Lord

    for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and call on the name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

    is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, I am your servant;

    I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

    You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

    and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will pay my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,

    in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Psalm 116 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Isaiah 44:9-20 – Ephesians 4:17-32 - Mark 3:19-35

Agnes of Rome

Almighty and everlasting God, who choose those whom the world deems powerless to put the powerful to shame: Grant us so to cherish the memory of your youthful martyr Agnes, that we may share her pure and steadfast faith in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard

    my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2 Because he inclined his ear to me,

    therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me;

    the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

    I suffered distress and anguish.

4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:

    “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

    our God is merciful.

6 The Lord preserves the simple;

    when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;

    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

Psalm 116 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Isaiah 44:6-8,21-23  – Ephesians 4:1-16 - Mark 3:7-19

Confession of St. Peter the Apostle

Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the Living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He 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

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Isaiah 42:1-17 – Ephesians 3:1-13 - Mark 2:13-22

Antony, Abbot in Egypt

   O God, who by your Holy Spirit enabled your servant Antony to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil: Give us grace, with pure hearts and minds, to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not

    follow the advice of the wicked,

    or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,

    meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

    bearing fruit each season.

   Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!

    They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

    Sinners will have no place among the godly.

6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

    but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1 – New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 41:17-29 – Ephesians 2:11-22 - Mark 2:1-12

Show favor to your servants, O Lord, and shower upon us the gifts of your grace, that, eager in faith, in hope, and in love, we may always be watchful in keeping your commandments. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;

    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

    I have sworn to David my servant:

4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,

    and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah

5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,

    your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!

6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?

    Who among the heavenly beings[b] is like the Lord,

Psalm 89 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 41:1-16 – Ephesians 2:1-10 - Mark 1:14-28

Direct the course of this world, Lord God, and order it in your peace, that your Church may serve you in serenity and quiet joy. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  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

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Isaiah 40:25-31 – Ephesians 1:15-23 - Mark 1:14-28

Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness

    because of my enemies;

    make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;

    their inmost self is destruction;

    their throat is an open grave;

    they flatter with their tongue.

10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;

    let them fall by their own counsels;

    because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,

    for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

    let them ever sing for joy,

    and spread your protection over them,

    that those who love your name may exult in you.

12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 40:12-23 – Ephesians 1:1-14 - Mark 1:1-13

Merciful God, in your Son Jesus Christ you raised up an unfailing light for all the nations to see. Grant that your people may know and confess the full splendor of their Redeemer and, by his grace, enter into light everlasting. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    bring an offering, and come into his courts!

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

    tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12 let the field exult, and everything in it!

    Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13 before the Lord, for he comes,

    for he comes to judge the earth.

    He will judge the world in righteousness,

    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Psalm 96 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 65:1-9 – Revelation 3:1-6 - John 6:1-14

O God, the light of all the nations, bless the peoples of the earth with lasting peace, and pour into our hearts that bright radiance by which you guided our ancestors in faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

7 I will tell of the decree:

   The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;

    today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

    and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron

    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

    be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear,

    and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son,

    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,

    for his wrath is quickly kindled.

   Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 63:1-5 – Revelation 2:18-29 - John 5:1-15

O God, your only-begotten Son has appeared in human flesh; grant that he, whose outward form is like our own, may reshape us inwardly by his grace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 I will bless the Lord at all times;

    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

    and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalm 34 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 59:15-21 – Revelation 2:8-17 - John 4:46-54

Attend with kindness, Lord God, to the cries of your people that we may see the things that ought to be done and grow in the strength to do them. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;

    from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him,

    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down

   from his high position.

    They take pleasure in falsehood.

   They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,

    for my hope is from him.

6 He only is my rock and my salvation,

    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 62 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Isaiah 52:3-6 – Revelation 2:1-7 - John 2:1-11

William Passavant

Compassionate God, we thank you for William Passavant, who brought the German deaconess movement to America so that dedicated women might assist him in founding orphanages and hospitals for those in need and provide for the theological education of future ministers. Inspire us by his example, that we may be tireless to address the wants of all who are sick and friendless; through Jesus the divine Physician, who has prepared for us an eternal home, and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

1  Praise the Lord!

   For it is good to sing praises to our God;

    for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

    and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

    he gives to all of them their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

    his understanding is beyond measure.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble;

    he casts the wicked to the ground.

Psalm 147 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Exodus 3:1-12 – Hebrews 11:23-31 - John 14:6-14

Charles Porterfield Krauth

Almighty God, source of knowledge, wisdom and faith: We praise you for the gifts you richly bestowed on your servant Charles Porterfield Krauth: and we pray that by his teaching and example , we may honor the tradition that has been entrusted to us, cherish it, and hand it on in its fullness to generations after us ; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

(Philip H. Pfatteicher “New Book of Festivals and Commemorations”)

89 Forever, O Lord, your word

    is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91 By your appointment they stand this day,

    for all things are your servants.

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 given me life.

94 I am yours; save me,

    for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

    but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Psalm 119 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 28:10-22 – Hebrews 11:13-22 - John 10:7-17