George Herbert

Our God and King, who called your servant George Herbert from the pursuit of worldly honors to be a pastor of souls, a poet, and a priest in your temple: Give us grace, we pray, joyfully to perform the tasks you give us to do, knowing that nothing is menial or common that is done for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked

   or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

   and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season

   and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!

   They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

   nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,

   but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1 – New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Proverbs 8:1-21 – Philemon 1-25 – John 12:9-19

Lord our God, you are the one God and there is no other. Give us grace to hear and heed the great commandment of your kingdom, that we may love you with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. 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

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

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Proverbs 7:1-27 – 1 John 5:13-21 – John 11:55-12:8

Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg

We praise you, O Lord, for the examples of your servants Bartholomaeus, Christian, Hans, and Thomas, whom you called to preach the Gospel in India and elsewhere. Raise up, we pray, in this and every land, heralds and evangelists of your kingdom, that all may come to know the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!

   His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

2 The Lord has made known his salvation;

    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.

   All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

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

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Proverbs 6:1-19 – 1 John 5:1-12 – John 11:45-54

Elizabeth Fedde, Deaconess

Holy and righteous God, you created us in your image: grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression. Help us, like your servant Elizabeth Fedde to use our Christian freedom to make manifest your justice among people and nations, to the glory of your name; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Lutheran Book of Worship – RWR)

9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear?

   He who formed the eye, does he not see?

10He 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,

13to 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;

15for 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

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Proverbs 4:1-27 – 1 John 4:7-21 – John 11:30-44

Matthias the Apostle

O Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; 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 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

    Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

    and speaks truth in his heart;

3 who does not slander with his tongue

    and does no evil to his neighbor,

    nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

    but who honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5 who does not put out his money at interest

    and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Proverbs 3:11-20 – 1 John 3:18-4:6 – John 11:17-29

O God, the strength of all who hope in you, accept our earnest prayer. And since without you we are weak and certain to fall, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you in desire and in deed. 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 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—

    let Israel now say—

2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,

    yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back;

    they made long their furrows.”

4 The Lord is righteous;

    he has cut the cords of the wicked.

5 May all who hate Zion

    be put to shame and turned backward!

6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops,

    which withers before it grows up,

7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand

    nor the binder of sheaves his arms,

8 nor do those who pass by say,

    “The blessing of the Lord be upon you!

    We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

Psalm 129 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 32:22-33:17 – 1 John 3:1-10 – John 10:31-42

Rasmus Jensen

Most gracious God, we thank you for your servants Rasmus Jensen And all other ministers who have accompanied Christians travelling to distant, desolate, or perilous places, seeking to minister to those they accompanied and to those they met, sharing their hardships in the name of him who humbled himself to share ours, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and 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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Genesis 32:3-21 – 1 John 2:18-29 – John 10:19-30

O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, enfold us in your gracious care and mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we may use wisely the gifts of this passing world and fix our hearts even now on those which last for ever. 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

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul

    and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

    How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

    light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

    lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

    my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord,

    because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 31:25-50 – 1 John 2:12-17 – John 10:1-18

Martin Luther

O God, our refuge and our strength, who raised up your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew your Church in the light of your word: Defend and purify the Church in our own day and grant that, through faith, we may boldly proclaim the riches of your grace, which you have made known in Jesus Christ our Savior, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen

(From Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

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.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

    how he has brought desolations on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

    he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 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)

Genesis 31:1-24 – 1 John 2:1-11 – John 9:18-41

Almighty God, whose unfailing providence rules all things both in heaven and on earth, listen to the cry of your people and guide in your peace the course of our days. 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

1 To you I lift up my eyes,

    O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

2 Behold, as the eyes of servants

    look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a maidservant

    to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

    till he has mercy upon us.

3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,

    for we have had more than enough of contempt.

4 Our soul has had more than enough

    of the scorn of those who are at ease,

    of the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 30:1-24 – 1 John 1:1-10 – John 9:1-17

Cyril and Methodius

Almighty and everlasting God, who by the power of the Holy Spirit moved your servant Cyril and his brother Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people: Overcome all bitterness and strife among us by the love of Christ, and make us one united family under the banner of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,

    for he has done marvelous things!

    His right hand and his holy arm

    have worked salvation for him.

2 The Lord has made known his salvation;

    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

    to the house of Israel.

    All the ends of the earth have seen

    the salvation of our God.

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!

Psalm 98 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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

Genesis 27:46-28:4,10-22 – Romans 13:1-14 – John 8:33-47

God of unfailing mercy, who redeemed us and adopted us as your children, look upon us with tender love, that we who believe in Christ may enjoy true freedom and enter our promised inheritance. 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 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

    and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

    before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

    and all the peoples see his glory.

Psalm 97 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 27:30-45 – Romans 12:9-21 – John 8:21-32

Fanny Crosby

O God, the blessed assurance of all who trust in you: We give you thanks for your servant Fanny Crosby, who, though blind from infancy, beheld your glory with great clarity of vision and spent her life giving voice to your people’s heartfelt praise; and we pray that we, inspired by her words and example, may rejoice to sing of your love, praising our Savior all the day long; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in perfect harmony, now and for ever. Amen.

1 My heart is steadfast, O God!

    I will sing and make melody with all my being!

2 Awake, O harp and lyre!

    I will awake the dawn!

3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

    I will sing praises to you among the nations.

4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

    your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Be 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

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Genesis 26:1-33 – Hebrews 13:17-25 – John 7:53-8:11

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 O God, do not keep silence;

    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;

    those who hate you have raised their heads.

3 They lay crafty plans against your people;

    they consult together against your treasured ones.

4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;

    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”

5 For they conspire with one accord;

    against you they make a covenant—

17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;

    let them perish in disgrace,

18 that they may know that you alone,

    whose name is the Lord,

    are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 25:19-34 – Hebrews 13:1-16 – John 7:37-52

God of heaven and earth, your almighty power is shown above all in your willingness to forgive and show mercy; let your grace descend upon us without ceasing, that we may strive for the things you have promised and come to share the treasures of heaven. 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 In Judah God is known;

    his name is great in Israel.

2 His abode has been established in Salem,

    his dwelling place in Zion.

3 There he broke the flashing arrows,

    the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

4 Glorious are you, more majestic

    than the mountains full of prey.

5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep;

   all the men of war were unable to use their hands.

6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,

    both rider and horse lay stunned.

7 But you, you are to be feared!

    Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?

Psalm 76 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 24:1-27 – Hebrews 12:3-11 – John 7:1-13

Philip Jacob Spener, Renewer of the Church

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.

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

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Genesis 22:1-18 – Hebrews 11:23-31 – John 6:52-59

The Martyrs of Japan

O God our Father, source of strength to all your saints, who brought the holy martyrs of Japan through the suffering of the cross to the joys of life eternal: Grant that we, being encouraged by their example, may hold fast the faith we profess, even to death itself; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

    you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

    in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

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Genesis 23:1-20 – Hebrews 11:32-40; 12:1-2 – John 6:60-71

Anskar

Almighty and everlasting God, who sent your servant Anskar as an apostle to the people of Scandinavia, and enabled him to lay a firm foundation for their conversion, though he did not see the results of his labors: Keep your Church from discouragement in the day of small things, knowing that when you have begun a good work you will bring it to a faithful conclusion; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one 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)

Genesis 19:1-29 – Hebrews 11:1-12 – John 6:27-40