Peter Claver, Priest, Missionary

Father,
You help me understand the truth.
O Lord, I know so much of the truth in my head, but I realize that it must be translated to my heart. I don't want to be one of those people who can quote the Bible and build a good argument, yet lacks the embodiment of the truth in my life. No matter how good the words sound, it is nothing but noise unless love leads the way. Help me understand and apply truth so it reaches my heart. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 18:19-33 – Acts 23:23-35 – Mark 12:13-27

For each new morning with its light,For rest and shelter of the night,For health and food,For love and friends,For everything Thy goodness sends.Father in heaven,We thank you.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 18:9-18 – Acts 23:12-24 – Mark 11:27-12:12

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
From: The Book of Common Prayer

12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man;
call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
Psalm 10 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 17:34-18:8 – Acts 22:30-23:11 – Mark 11:12-26

Father,
I thank You.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude. You have blessed me in so many ways, and I am anxious to praise you wherever I go. Hymns of thanksgiving rise up in my heart, and I cannot keep from speaking them out loud. I find myself telling others how much You mean to me -- how much You have brought to my life. Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness, and receive my praise today. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I cry aloud to the LORD;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.
3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way.
In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.
4 Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.
5 I cry to you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living."
Psalm 142 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 15:19-37 – Acts 21:37-22:16 – Mark 10:46-52

Father,
Your wisdom is great and wonderful.
Lord, thank You for reminding me that I don't have all the answers, that I am a mere child in my understanding. And thank You for urging me to seek out Your wisdom, which is much greater and more mysterious than I can ever fathom. Though Your ways are above my ways, still You love to share Your wisdom with me. And I'm grateful. My ways can only leave me disappointed and unfulfilled, but Your ways will lead me to a truly happy life. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us;
you have been angry-now restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
Psalm 60 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 15:1-18 – Acts 21:27-36 – Mark 10:32-45

Lord God the creator of all thing, your Spirit moved over the face of the waters at the dawn of creation. You gather the seas into their places and direct the courses of the rivers.
We praise you for the gift of water
Now our land is dry and barren, thirsting for life-giving rain; send rain upon the earth so that it will bring forth life. May we use only the water we each need and let us take care of and give encouragement to all those whose livelihood depends on the produce of the land.
Amen
From the Rev. Joseph Grech,

1 Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings[a];
honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
11 The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.
Psalm 29 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 14:21-33 – Acts 21:15-26 – Mark 10:17-31

Father,
You lead me safely.
Today I have encountered a rocky place in my journey through life. Thank You for Your promise to lead me one step at a time, across difficult and dangerous terrain. Because I know that You are a kind Shepherd, I will trust You to guide my feet around this obstacle and on to green pastures where I can find rest and restoration for my soul. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.
4 I do not sit with deceitful men,
nor do I consort with hypocrites;
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, O LORD,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds
Psalm 26 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
2 Samuel 14:1-20 – Acts 21:1-14 – Mark 10:1-16