Blessed Jesus, you who loved those outside the law, who sat down to eat with tax collectors, who kept company with sinners, who cured the alien Samaritan, help us go beyond the law into an intimate relationship with you. Transform us from literal-minded legalists into your grace-filled children. Take us by the hand and guide us home. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

35 They remembered that God was their rock,
the Most High God their redeemer.
36 But they flattered him with their mouths;
they lied to him with their tongues.
37 Their heart was not steadfast towards him;
they were not true to his covenant.
38 Yet he, being compassionate,
forgave their iniquity,
and did not destroy them;
often he restrained his anger,
and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and does not come again.
Psalm 78 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 45:1-15 - 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 - Mark 6:1-13

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")

14 Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock that your right hand planted.* 16 They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down;* may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance. 17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. 18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Psalm 80 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 44:18-34 - 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 - Mark 5:21-43

Father,
You teach me to believe for the best in others.
It is too easy to let my tongue slip. A little gossip here, a snide comment there -- suddenly I find myself in the quicksand of self-righteousness. Lord, teach me to close my mouth, open my eyes, and see Your work in the people I have been belittling. Teach me to keep faith with Your children and believe for the best in them. Thank You for Your patience and forgiveness in my own life. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
At an acceptable time, O God,
in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.
With your faithful help 14rescue me
from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
and from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the flood sweep over me,
or the deep swallow me up,
or the Pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant,
for I am in distress—make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to me, redeem me,
set me free because of my enemies.
Psalm 69 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 43:1-15 - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 - Mark 4:35-41

Father,
You forgive me so I can forgive others.
When others hurt and abuse me, I want to strike out at them. But You urge me to forgive. I find that difficult to do until You remind me that I have also been found guilty. Others have suffered at my hands, often without my even knowing it. It is then that I see and understand. I must forgive as freely as I myself have been forgiven. Thank You for covering my transgressions with Your love and the blood of Your precious Son. Amen.
From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares"

7 I have been like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all day long.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
10 For my enemies speak concerning me,
and those who watch for my life consult together.
11 They say, ‘Pursue and seize that person
whom God has forsaken,
for there is no one to deliver.’
12 O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Psalm 71 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 42:29-38 - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 - Mark 4:21-34

John & Charles Wesley (click on link for more information)

Lord God, who inspired your servants John and Charles Wesley with burning zeal for the sanctification of souls, and endowed them with eloquence in speech and song: Kindle in your Church, we entreat you, such fervor, that those whose faith has cooled may be warmed, and those who have not known Christ may turn to him and be saved; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever
Lesser Feasts and Fasts

13As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
14For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.
15As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
Psalm 103 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 42:18-28 - 1 Corinthians 5:9-6:8 - Mark 4:1-20

Chad of Lichfield (click on link for more information)

Almighty God, whose servant Chad, for the peace of the Church, relinquished cheerfully the honors that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: Keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, that the cause of Christ may be advanced; in the name of him who washed his disciples' feet, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Lesser Feasts and Fasts

7 They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
11For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.
Psalm 84 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 42:1-17 - 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 - Mark 3:19b-35

David of Wales

Almighty God, who called your servant David to be a faithful and wise steward of your mysteries for the people of Wales: Mercifully grant that, following his purity of life and zeal for the gospel of Christ, we may with him receive the crown of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.
Lesser Feasts and Fasts

5The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
7I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
10For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Genesis 41:46-57 - 1 Corinthians 4:8-21 - Mark 3:7-19