O God, you inspire the hearts of the faithful with a single longing. Grant that your people may love what you command and desire what you promise, so that, amid the uncertain things of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found. 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

2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side

    when people rose up against us,

3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,

    when their anger was kindled against us;

4 then the flood would have swept us away,

    the torrent would have gone over us;

5 then over us would have gone

    the raging waters.

6 Blessed be the Lord,

    who has not given us as prey to their teeth!

7 We have escaped like a bird

    from the snare of the fowlers;

   the snare is broken, and we have escaped!

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth.

                         

Psalm 124 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Wisdom 10:1-21  – Romans 12:1-21 - Luke 8:1-15

Catherine of Siena

Everlasting God, who so kindled the flame of holy love in the heart of blessed Catherine of Siena, as she meditated on the passion of your Son our Savior, that she devoted her life to the poor and the sick, and to the peace and unity of the Church: Grant that we also may share in the mystery of Christ's death, and rejoice in the revelation of His Glory, who lives and reigns  with thee 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)

Wisdom 9:1,9:7-17  – Colossians 3:18-4:18 - Luke 7:36-50

God of our salvation and our freedom, you have redeemed us by the blood of your Son. Hear the voices of your people and grant that through you we may have life and in you find eternal refuge. 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 the Lord!

  Praise the Lord from the heavens;

    praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels;

    praise him, all his hosts!

3 Praise him, sun and moon,

    praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

    and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!

    For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever;

    he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

                         

Psalm 148 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Wisdom 6:12-23 – Colossians 3:1-11 - Luke 7:1-17

Mark the Evangelist

Almighty God, who by the hand of Mark the evangelist have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: We thank you for this witness, and pray that we may be firmly grounded in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 Why do the nations rage[a]

    and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

    and the rulers take counsel together,

    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds apart

    and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;

    the Lord holds them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

    and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “As for me, I have set my King

    on Zion, my holy hill.”

                         

Psalm 2 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Wisdom 5:9-23 – Colossians 2:8-23 - Luke 6:39-49

Lord God, life of the faithful, glory of the humble, and lasting happiness of the just, respond with kindness to our prayers, that we who thirst for the life you promise may be filled to overflowing with your countless gifts. Grant 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.

9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you,

    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion!

    Tell among the peoples his deeds!

12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;

    he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

13 Be gracious to me, O Lord!

    See my affliction from those who hate me,

    O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

14 that I may recount all your praises,

    that in the gates of the daughter of Zion

    I may rejoice in your salvation.

                         

Psalm 9 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Wisdom 4:16-5:8 – Colossians 1:24-2:7 - Luke 6:27-38

Merciful and faithful God, accept this prayer, that we who celebrate the mystery of the risen Lord may gain the joyful inheritance purchased for us by Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;

    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes,

    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;

    on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

    whose hope is in the Lord his God,

6 who made heaven and earth,

    the sea, and all that is in them,

   who keeps faith forever;

7 who executes justice for the oppressed,

    who gives food to the hungry.

                         

Psalm 145 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Wisdom 3:1-9 – Colossians 1:15-23 - Luke 6:12-26

God of power, who raised up a fallen world through the lowliness of your Son, grant to your faithful people a holy joy, so that those whom you have rescued from the slavery of sin may delight in the happiness that never ends. 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 extol you, my God and King,

    and bless your name forever and ever.

2 Every day I will bless you

    and praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

    and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,

    and shall declare your mighty acts.

5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

    and I will declare your greatness.

                         

Psalm 145 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Wisdom 1:16-2:11,2:21-24  – Colossians 1:1-14 - Luke 6:1-11

Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr

O loving God, whose martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death when he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people: Grant that all pastors of your flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;

    let me never be put to shame;

    in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me;

    rescue me speedily!

   Be a rock of refuge for me,

    a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;

    and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;

4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,

    for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;

    you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

                         

Psalm 31 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 6:1-15 – 2 John 1-13 - Luke 5:12-26

Almighty and everlasting God, in this Easter season pour out ever more richly the saving mercy we have come to know, so that, freed from the dark night of sin and error, we may cling more firmly to your word of truth. 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 O God, when you went out before your people,

    when you marched through the wilderness, Selah

8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,

    before God, the One of Sinai,

    before God, the God of Israel.

9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;

    you restored your inheritance as it languished;

10 your flock found a dwelling in it;

    in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

11 The Lord gives the word;

    the women who announce the news are a great host:

12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”

     The women at home divide the spoil—

13  though you men lie among the sheepfolds—

    the wings of a dove covered with silver,

    its pinions with shimmering gold.

                         

Psalm 68 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 5:13-30 – 1 John 5:13-21 - Luke 5:1-11

Ever-faithful God, to those reborn of water and the Spirit you open the gates of your heavenly kingdom. Increase within us the grace of baptism, that we who have been cleansed from sin may never lack the blessings you promise. 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 give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;

    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and exult in you;

    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 When my enemies turn back,

    they stumble and perish before your presence.

4 For you have maintained my just cause;

    you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

5 You have rebuked the nations;

    you have made the wicked perish;

    you have blotted out their name forever and ever.

6 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;

    their cities you rooted out;

    the very memory of them has perished.

7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever;

    he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness;

    he judges the peoples with uprightness.

                         

Psalm 9 – English Standard 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

Draw near to your family, Lord God, and heed our prayer: as you have conferred upon us the gift of faith, award us an everlasting share in the life of the risen Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

    break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

    with the lyre and the sound of melody!

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

    the world and those who dwell in it!

8 Let the rivers clap their hands;

    let the hills sing for joy together

9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

   He will judge the world with righteousness,

    and the peoples with equity.

                         

Psalm 98 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 4:28-37 – 1 John 4:7-21 - Luke 4:31-37

O God, you show the light of your truth to those who stray, that they may return to the right path. Grant that all who profess the Christian faith may reject whatever is contrary to the gospel and follow the way that leads to you. We make our prayer 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 All worshipers of images are put to shame,

    who make their boast in worthless idols;

    worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,

    and the daughters of Judah rejoice,

    because of your judgments, O Lord.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;

    you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!

    He preserves the lives of his saints;

    he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

    and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,

    and give thanks to his holy name!

                         

Psalm 97 – English Standard 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

For our sake, O God, you willed that your Son should climb the scaffold of the cross to lift from our shoulders the dark yoke of Satan. Grant that we may come to share the grace and power of Christ’s resurrection. 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 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

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

Daniel 3:1-18 – 1 John 3:1-10 - Luke 3:15-22

God of mercy, grant that the grace we seek and find when celebrating the Easter mysteries may grow within us and in every season bear much fruit. 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 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;

    and those who hate him shall flee before him!

2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;

    as wax melts before fire,

    so the wicked shall perish before God!

3 But the righteous shall be glad;

    they shall exult before God;

    they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

    lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;

   his name is the Lord; exult before him!

5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows

    is God in his holy habitation.

6 God settles the solitary in a home;

    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

                         

Psalm 68 – English Standard 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

Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku

Almighty God, we praise you for the men and women you have sent To call the Church to its tasks and renew its life, such as your servants Mikael Agricola, Paavali Juusten, Paavo and Henrik Ruotsalainen, whom you called to preach to the peoples of Sweden, Lapland, and Finland. Raise up in our own day teachers and prophets inspired by your Spirit, whose voices will give strength to your Church and proclaim the reality of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

    God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

    he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

                         

Psalm 46 – English Standard 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

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gracious Lord, the Christian faith of your servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer impelled him to defy the forces of darkness, to protest the evil of anti-Semitism, and finally, fearing not death  but the greater evil of tolerating oppression, to lay down his life in witness to your rule: Grant us the same Spirit of courage  to resist tyranny in all its forms and the strength to follow Christ into unfamiliar places, knowing that, whether we live or die, we are with you; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns  with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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

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

Daniel 2:1-16 – 1 John 2:1-11 - John 17:12-19

William A. Muhlenberg

Do not let your Church close its eyes, O Lord, to the plight of the poor and neglected, the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, the lonely and those who have no one to care for them. Give us the vision and compassion with which you so richly endowed your servant William Augustus Muhlenberg, that we may labor tirelessly to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

    O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;

    my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

    and the swallow a nest for herself,

    where she may lay her young,

    at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca

    they make it a place of springs;

    the early rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;

    each one appears before God in Zion.

                         

Psalm 84 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Daniel 1:1-21 – 1 John 1:1-10 - John 17:1-11

Easter Friday

Almighty and eternal God, in the paschal mystery of Christ your Son you have established with all peoples a new covenant of reconciliation and peace. Grant that we may show forth in our lives the mystery of faith we so joyfully proclaim. 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 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

    sing to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

    tell of his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

    he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

    but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;

    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

                         

Psalm 96 – English Standard 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

Easter Thursday

Lord God, who gathered together from the ends of the earth a diversity of nations to profess your holy name, grant that all who have been reborn in the waters of baptism may be united in faith and in holiness of life. 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 Clap your hands, all peoples!

    Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

    a great king over all the earth.

3 He subdued peoples under us,

    and nations under our feet.

4 He chose our heritage for us,

    the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

5 God has gone up with a shout,

    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!

    Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

7 For God is the King of all the earth;

    sing praises with a psalm!

                         

Psalm 47 – English Standard 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