O God,

the strength of all who hope in you, accept our earnest prayer. And since without you we are weak and certain to fall, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you in desire and in deed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

1 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—

     let Israel now say—

2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,

     yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back;

    they made long their furrows.”

4 The Lord is righteous;

    he has cut the cords of the wicked.

5 May all who hate Zion

    be put to shame and turned backward!

6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops,

    which withers before it grows up,

Psalm 19 – English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Proverbs 23:19-24:2  - 1 Timothy 5:17-22 - Matthew 13:31-35