Father, I will abide in Jesus, and I will let His words abide in me. I thank you for your promise, Father, that this will enable me to ask what I will, knowing that it shall be done. Thank you for your Word that helps me to always pray according to your will. Amen.
(From "Bible Prayers for All Your Needs")

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
Psalm 54 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 37:3-21 – 1 Corinthians 14:13-25 - Matthew 10:24-33

Lord, You showed me Your wonderful salvation, using Your people to draw me to Your love. When I knew nothing of You, You prepared a way for me to accept You.
How can I repay Your gift of freedom from sin? I own nothing valuable enough to repay the life of Your Son. Even if I give You each and every day of the rest of my life, the gift would be too small.
But take my life. Keep me strong in You; Forsaking You would be too painful a thing to imagine. My life is Yours, Father. May I honor You all my days. Amen.
(From "Light for My Path - Prayers & Promises")

1 Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.
3 Strangers are attacking me;
ruthless men seek my life—
men without regard for God.
4 Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
5 Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
in your faithfulness destroy them.
6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
Psalm 54 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 36:27-37:2 – 1 Corinthians 14:1-12 - Matthew 10:16-23

God of life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and wear us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening; when our lives have no music in them and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, we beseech you; turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise.
Saint Augustine:

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 57 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jeremiah 36:11-26 – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - Matthew 10:5-15

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
Saint Augustine of Hippo

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 128 New Living Translation

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Kings 23:36-24:17 – 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 - Matthew 9:27-34

October 24, 2007

Father,
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.
Today I find no comfort in this life; I find comfort in Your promises only. In the midst of the darkness that has come into my life, give me a glimpse of future glory. Give me the strength and the courage to seek Your will even now and to allow You to find some good in my present circumstances. I have no faith, no strength, no will of my own. I am completely dependent on You for my very breath. Lift me up, Lord, I pray. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Kings 22:14-23:3 – 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 - Matthew 9:9-17

Almighty and everlasting God, the consolation of the sorrowful and the strength of those who suffer: Let the prayers of your children who cry out to you in any tribulation come to you; and to every soul that is distressed grant mercy, grant relief, grant refreshment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(The Gelasian Sacramentary)

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured much contempt.
4 We have endured much ridicule from the proud,
much contempt from the arrogant.
Psalm 123 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Kings 21:1-18 – 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 - Matthew 8:28-34

Thank you, gracious God, for forgiving my sins today and calling me to repentance. I regret that there are some sins from the past that I confess to you, but still hold on to. These sins still have power over me. I pray that I may accept your forgiveness for all my wrongdoing and then really release them to you. Amen.
(From "Daily Texts")

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
2 Kings 19:1-20 – 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 - Matthew 8:1-17