Your Word, Father, helps to increase my faith because its power is at work in my life. Thank you for the life-giving power of your Word, Father. I rejoice in the knowledge that your are changing me from glory to glory by your Spirit. As I meditate upon the principles of your Word, my faith grows and I am blessed. Amen.
(From "Bible Prayers for All Your Needs")

1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 118 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 2:4-25 – Hebrews 1:1-14 – John 7:37-52

Father,
I find refuge in You.
Though I have confessed my sin to You, Lord, my guilt lingers in the eyes of those I have wronged. Show me how to make restitution if that is possible. Lay upon me a burden of prayer for those who continue to carry the weight of my poor choices and selfish deeds. And help me to walk in the light of Your forgiveness, despite how others may feel. My sin was real and my guilt was deserved, but You have paid my debt. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.*
25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.*
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
and he has given us light.
Psalm 118 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Exodus 17:1-7 – Colossians 1:15-23 – John 7:37-52

Father,
It gives me great comfort and a wonderful sense of security to realize that your angels are encamping around me, and to know that they are always ready to deliver me. In the same way that you sent the angel to shut the lion's mouth in order to protect Daniel, I ask you to let your angels watch over and protect me. Amen.
(From "Bible Prayers for All Your Needs")

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Psalm 103 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Deuteronomy 8:1-3 – Colossians 1:1-14 – John 6:30-33,48-51

The Feast of Epiphany

O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live* while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
Psalm 72 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 49:1-7 – Revelation 21:22-27 – Matthew 2:1-12

Kaj Munk, Martyr

Gracious Lord, in every age you have sent men and women who have given their lives for the message of your love. Inspire us with the memory of those martyrs for the Gospel like your servant Kaj Munk whose faithfulness led them in the way of the cross, and give us courage to bear full witness with our lives to your Son's victory over sin and death; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

3O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.
4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil will not sojourn with you.
5The boastful will not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
6You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.
7But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house,
I will bow down towards your holy temple
in awe of you.
8Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before
Psalm 5 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Jonah 2:2-9 – Ephesians 6:10-20 – John 11:17-27,38-44

O God of Peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
William Bright

105Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
107I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
108Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your ordinances.
111Your decrees are my heritage for ever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112I incline my heart to perform your statutes
for ever, to the end.
Psalm 119 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Joshua 3:14-4:7 – Ephesians 5:1-20 – John 9:1-12, 35-38

The Holy Name of Jesus

Eternal Father, who gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

1O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals* that you care for them?
5Yet you have made them a little lower than God,*
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
Psalm 8 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Isaiah 62:1-5,10-12 – Revelation 19:11-16 – Matthew 1:18-25