John Cassian

Holy and Mighty One, whose beloved Son Jesus Christ blessed the pure in heart: We give you thanks for the life and teachings of John Cassian that draw us to a discipline of holy living for the sake of your reign. Call us to turn the gaze of the eyes of our soul always toward you, that we may abide in your love, shown to us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit is one God, living and true, to the ages of ages. Amen.


1 I will extol you, my God and King,
   and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
   and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
   and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
   and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
   and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
   and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
   and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psalm 145 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 37:25-36 - 1 Corinthians 2:1-13 - Mark 1:29-45

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
   his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
   let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
   and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
   and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
   and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
   and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
   around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psalm 34 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 37:12-24 - 1 Corinthians 1:20-31 - Mark 1:14-28

O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
   give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
   because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
   and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
   according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
   for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
   because they have wronged me with falsehood;
   as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
Psalm 119 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 37:1-11 - 1 Corinthians 1:1-19 - Mark 1:1-13

Ash Wednesday

Let us pray. Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of tenderness and strengthen us to face our mortality, that we may reach with confidence for your mercy; in Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
   according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
   and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
   and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
   so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
   and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
   and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Psalm 51 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Amos 5:6-15 - Hebrews 12:1-14 - Luke 18:9-14

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 O God, save me by your name,
   and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer;
   give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen against me;
   ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves.
4 Behold, God is my helper;
   the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies;
   in your faithfulness put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
   I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble,
   and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 54 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Proverbs 30:1-33 - Philippians 2:1-13 - John 18:28-38

Rasmus Jensen

Most gracious God, we thank you for your servants Rasmus Jensen And all other ministers who have accompanied Christians travelling to distant, desolate, or perilous places, seeking to minister to those they accompanied and to those they met, sharing their hardships in the name of him who humbled himself to share ours, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
   He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
   He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
   you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Proverbs 27:1-12 - Philippians 2:1-13 - John 18:15-27

Almighty God, fix our hearts on what is right and true, that we may please you always by observing your will in both word and 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 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
   Let your ears be attentive
   to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
   O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
   that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
   more than watchmen for the morning,
   more than watchmen for the morning.
Psalm 130 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

Genesis 32:22-33:17 - 1 John 3:1-10 - John 10:31-42