Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Almighty God, who called your deacon Laurence to serve you with deeds of love, and gave him the crown of martyrdom: Grant that we, following his example, may fulfil your commandments by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

1 Praise the Lord!
How joyful are those who fear the Lord
and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will last forever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
5 Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
6 Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
Psalm 112 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Samuel 24:1-22 – Acts 13:44-52 – Mark 4:1-20

O GOD, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek your kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance; Send us, we beseech you, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 1928 Book of Common Prayer

1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away,
and I groaned all day long.
4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
Psalm 32 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 21:1-15 – Acts 13:13-25 – Mark 3:7-19a

Father,
You are worthy to be praised.
What a wonderful work You have done in my life. And what an incredible salvation You have wrought for the earth. You are the great Creator who has made the natural world to be so beautiful. You are the compassionate Redeemer who has saved us from our sin. You are the loving Father who holds the whole world in His hands. You are worthy to be praised. What an honor it is to worship You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
2 Great is the LORD in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.
Psalm 99 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 20:24-42 – Acts 13:1-12 – Mark 2:23-3:6

Almighty and Eternal Father, in whose law is our life, and whose mercy is everlasting, We come as humble as we know how, asking for healing of our minds, bodies and souls. We come in great faith that in Your word You did say, "Ask, and it shall be given, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and the door will be open." We ask in the precious name of Jesus that You would grant us healing of the mind, that we might glorify and give witness to the unlimited love and blessings received each day of our lives.
We thank You, dear Father, we know that You can and we know that You will. Amen.
(Lillie Kate Benitez)

1 Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
10 Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 20:1-23 – Acts 12:18-25 – Mark 2:13-22

Father,
You give me the gift of life.
From my first breath to my last, You surround me with Your love and care. I praise You for the goodness of this earthly life. I thank You for the gift of breath and health and loved ones and worthwhile work to do. I thank You for my heavenly home, the place where I will one day see You face to face. I thank You for life. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 19:1-24 – Acts 12:1-17 – Mark 2:1-12

Father,
I am surrounded by Your love.
I am not alone in any situation. You are always present, surrounding me with Your love. Like a mighty fortress, this wall of love protects me from the arrows of the enemy. Yet I am never boxed in or coerced, for Your love sets me free. Because of Your love, I dare to be who I am and reach out to a world in need. Help me, Lord, to trust in You more and more each day. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.
4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.
7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
Psalm 9 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
1 Samuel 18:5-30 – Acts 11:19-30 – Mark 1:29-45