Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
   my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
   and I am saved from my enemies.
4 The cords of death encompassed me;
   the torrents of destruction assailed me;
5 the cords of Sheol entangled me;
   the snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help.
   From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
Psalm 18 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Amos 9:1-10 - Revelation 2:8-17 - Matthew 23:13-26