Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son, that his coming may purify our minds and make us worthy to serve you. 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.

1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,

    and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me;

    the torrents of destruction assailed me;

5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;

    the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord;

    to my God I cried for help.

   From his temple he heard my voice,

    and my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 18 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Amos 9:1-10 – Revelation 2:8-17 – Matthew 23:13-26