Father,
You teach me how to love.
Every day is a fresh start. Every day is another opportunity to learn lessons in love. Love is patient, so I ask You to help me be patient. Love is kind, so I ask You to help me treat others with respect. Love is gentle, so I look to You to help me not to condemn myself or others for failure. You are Love, Lord. As I spend time in Your presence, show me what real love is. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")
2The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3He 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!
6With 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!
8Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
Psalm 98 – English Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 26:1-6 - 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2 - John 8:12-19
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Every day I face challenging decisions of all sizes -- questions that make me wonder if I'm making good choices. How often I wonder what I should do next, Lord. If I look to the world for answers, I feel confused. Everyone offers a different response, and after awhile I'm not sure who's right.
But when I turn to Your Word, I never need to worry about that. You always give me good advice, guidance I can count on. Keep me daily in Your Word, Lord, and once I know the right way, help me to walk in it. I want to follow Your light, Jesus, every day of my life. Amen.
(From "Prayers & Promises")
1 The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
2 your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
4 More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves* of the sea,
majestic on high is the Lord!
5 Your decrees are very sure;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, for evermore.
Psalm 93 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 25:1-9 - Revelation 1:9-20 - John 7:53-8:11
But when I turn to Your Word, I never need to worry about that. You always give me good advice, guidance I can count on. Keep me daily in Your Word, Lord, and once I know the right way, help me to walk in it. I want to follow Your light, Jesus, every day of my life. Amen.
(From "Prayers & Promises")
1 The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
2 your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
4 More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves* of the sea,
majestic on high is the Lord!
5 Your decrees are very sure;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, for evermore.
Psalm 93 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 25:1-9 - Revelation 1:9-20 - John 7:53-8:11
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
O God, our strength and our salvation, who called your servant Thomas Becket to be a shepherd of your people and a defender of your Church: Keep your household from all evil and raise up among us faithful pastors and leaders who are wise in the ways of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ the shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,*
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 126 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 12:1-6 - Revelation 1:1-8 - John 7:37-52
O God, our strength and our salvation, who called your servant Thomas Becket to be a shepherd of your people and a defender of your Church: Keep your household from all evil and raise up among us faithful pastors and leaders who are wise in the ways of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ the shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,*
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5 May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 126 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 12:1-6 - Revelation 1:1-8 - John 7:37-52
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 31:15-17 - 1 John 1:5-2:2 - Matthew 2:13-18
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jeremiah 31:15-17 - 1 John 1:5-2:2 - Matthew 2:13-18
Monday, December 27, 2010
St John, Apostle and Evangelist
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
10 I kept my faith, even when I said,
‘I am greatly afflicted’;
11 I said in my consternation,
‘Everyone is a liar.’
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Proverbs 8:22-30 - 1 John 5:1-12 - John 13:20-35
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
10 I kept my faith, even when I said,
‘I am greatly afflicted’;
11 I said in my consternation,
‘Everyone is a liar.’
12 What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving-maid.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Proverbs 8:22-30 - 1 John 5:1-12 - John 13:20-35
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve
God of surprises, let us be your Christ-bearer, your servant, your deacon in this world grown too distracting and complicated. Make us ready for the gifts you give, the grace you impart, the opportunities you make available to help us grow in holiness. Grant that our eyes might be open to see, our ears to listen, our hearts to love, and our mouths to laugh with delight and joy when our awareness of your presence informs any moment of the day. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!*
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 35:1-10 - Revelation 22:12-17, 21 - Luke 1:67-80
God of surprises, let us be your Christ-bearer, your servant, your deacon in this world grown too distracting and complicated. Make us ready for the gifts you give, the grace you impart, the opportunities you make available to help us grow in holiness. Grant that our eyes might be open to see, our ears to listen, our hearts to love, and our mouths to laugh with delight and joy when our awareness of your presence informs any moment of the day. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!*
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 35:1-10 - Revelation 22:12-17, 21 - Luke 1:67-80
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thorlak, Bishop of Skalholt, 1193
Christ, Our Redeemer, help us stand firm in the safety of your everlasting light and sustain us in the glorification of your works. Wash us clean with your grace, so that we may be released from our obsession with our own egos and our "own story." Fill our hearts with courage and faith so that we may seriously follow the path to holiness and saintliness. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.*
6 As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 102 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 33:17-22 - Revelation 22:6-20 - Luke 1:57-66
Christ, Our Redeemer, help us stand firm in the safety of your everlasting light and sustain us in the glorification of your works. Wash us clean with your grace, so that we may be released from our obsession with our own egos and our "own story." Fill our hearts with courage and faith so that we may seriously follow the path to holiness and saintliness. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.*
6 As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
Psalm 102 - New Revised Standard Version
Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 33:17-22 - Revelation 22:6-20 - Luke 1:57-66
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