Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and, as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1 Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone;
   for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
   with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
   the tongue that makes great boasts,
4 those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail,
   our lips are with us; who is master over us?"
5 "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
    I will now arise," says the LORD;
    "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
6 The words of the LORD are pure words,
    like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
    purified seven times.
Psalm 73 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
1 Kings 1:38-2:4 - Acts 26:24-27:8 - Mark 13:14-27