Almighty and merciful God, drive from us whatever things are harmful and make us ready in both body and mind to accomplish your will in perfect freedom. 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

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,

    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me,

    until I proclaim your might to another generation,

    your power to all those to come.

19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens.

    You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities

    will revive me again;

    from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

21 You will increase my greatness

    and comfort me again.

22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God;

    I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you;

    my soul also, which you have redeemed.

24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,

    for they have been put to shame and disappointed

    who sought to do me hurt.

Psalm 71 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Nahum 1:1-13 – 1 Peter 1:13-25 – Matthew 19:13-22