Lord, give me strength when every fiber of my body cries out in protest. When my impulse is to cave in "just this once" bolster my willpower. I am a creature of habit, Lord. Help me find new, pure ones to replace the old. And until those are second nature, bear me up when my resolve is tested and tried. Help me see beyond this moment - to sacrifice this small, fleeting pleasure for my future good - to preserve this temple You have bestowed upon me. Amen.
(Susan Scott)

1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 48 - English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Sirach 24:1-12 - Revelation 11:14-19 - Luke 11:27-36