Father,
You promise to guide me.
You order my steps and guide me in the way I should go. You teach me Your ways and pick me up when I stumble. Your Word is like a lantern guiding my feet one step at a time down the path of life. Thank You, Lord, for providing the answer I need and showing me which way to turn. I praise You for being my trustworthy Guide and helper. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
Psalm 73 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 22:1-21 – Romans 6:12-23 – Matthew 21:12-22

June 27, 2008

God, Your ways, Your wisdom, Your guidance are so precious, so perfect, so life-giving. They are always spoken in the purest love, and specifically for me.
You lead me moment by moment. When I have a need, Your love never fails. Your wisdom never falls short.
But, Lord, I fear at times that I miss some of Your most delicate, most tender, most precious words to me. I fear Your voice is drowned out by the noise of my own plans and foolish desires.
God, I set aside my desires and open myself to You. When You speak, I want to hear every whisper. Amen.
(From "Simple Prayers" by Ken Bible)

3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.
5 The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice;
upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 20:1-13 – Romans 5:12-21 – Matthew 20:29-34

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; 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.
(Book of Common Prayer 1979)

1 Sing praises to God, our strength.
Sing to the God of Jacob.
2 Sing! Beat the tambourine.
Play the sweet lyre and the harp.
3 Blow the ram’s horn at new moon,
and again at full moon to call a festival!
5b I heard an unknown voice say,
6 “Now I will take the load from your shoulders;
I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.
7 You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you;
I answered out of the thundercloud
and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah.
Psalm 125 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 17:1-11 – Romans 5:1-11 – Matthew 20:17-28

O Lord, Make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
(From the Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.
3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly,
for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.
4 O Lord, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord.
Take them away with those who do evil.
Psalm 125 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Numbers 16:36-50 – Romans 4:13-25 – Matthew 20:1-16

Father,
Your mercies are new every morning.
Summer and winter, spring and autumn, season after season You renew Your mercy and compassion in my life. As the seasons change, so I change. But You never change. You are merciful to me, even when I am wrong. Like the father of the prodigal son, You run to meet me. You are great in mercy, Lord, but I am not. Help me to be merciful to myself, forgiving myself so that I do not become weighted down with self-pity. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")
1 Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Psalm 148 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14 – Galatians 5:25-6:10 – Matthew 16:21-28

Father,
I find my contentment in You.
You are my Peace, Lord. You are my Source of true joy. When I am frustrated, struggling with the circumstances of life, You come to me, still my restless spirit, and take time to listen. Only a few moments in Your presence reminds me that I have all I need. Your love and care are more than enough. Thank You for providing all I need to live a peaceful and contented life. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
Psalm 97 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 – Galatians 5:16-24 – Matthew 16:13-20

Father,
You calm my spirit.
No matter what is bothering me -- a missed deadline, a traffic jam, an argument with my spouse, a financial situation, a sick child who won't stop crying, a friend who has let me down -- no matter what --- You are always there to ease my troubled mind and help me deal with the crisis. Thank You, Lord, for giving me the confidence that no matter how many frustrations pile up, You will always give me the strength and stamina to handle them. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Ecclesiastes 9:11-18 – Galatians 5:1-15 – Matthew 16:1-12