Reformation Day

Almighty God, gracious Lord, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church your saving peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Psalm 46 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Nahum 2:13-3:7 – Revelation 13:1-10 – Luke 12:13-31

Father,
You are the Anchor of my soul.
It's easy for me, Lord, to drift from one opinion to another. But in this stormy time of trouble and doubt, my soul needs a safe harbor and a sturdy anchor. You are my Anchor, grounding me in the truth. You are my safe Harbor, surrounding me with Your love. I may be tossed by rough waters, but I am never lost, for You are my everlasting Hope. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.
Psalm 138 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Nahum 1:15-2:12 – Revelation 12:7-17 – Luke 11:53-12:12

Grant us O Lord to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain, that reaching the eventide victorious over all temptation through your ever present aid we may praise you, the eternal God, Governor of all things and blessed evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord
(from Mozarabic Sacramentary)

8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
9 You rule over the surging sea;
when its waves mount up, you still them.
11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth;
you founded the world and all that is in it.
13 Your arm is endued with power;
your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you.
Psalm 89 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Nahum 1:1-14 – Revelation 12:1-6 – Luke 11:37-52

October 28, 2008 – St Simon and St Jude, Apostles

O God, we thank you for the glorious company of the apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude: and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(Book of Common Prayer)

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
Psalm 119 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Jonah 3:1-4:11 – Revelation 11:14-19 – Luke 11:27-36

October 23, 2008 - St James of Jerusalem, Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Father,
You are my eternal Joy.
One day the sorrow and suffering of this earthly life will be over. I comfort myself with Your promise of eternal joy. I am Your child, and You guide me gently on my pilgrimage through this world. But You also remind me that my true home is with You, where the saints shall rejoice forever in Your love. Help me to keep my eyes focused on eternal realities. 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):
Micah 5:1-4,10-15 – Revelation 9:1-12 – Luke 10:25-37

Father,
You bring my hopes and dreams to pass.
As I choose to live in Your will and continue to plant the good seed of faith in the soil of my life, I know that You are giving me favor and leading me in the ways of success. As a farmer patiently waters, weeds, and waits for the seed to grow, so I wait for You to bring my dreams to realization. I thank You that even as I wait for fulfillment, You promise my time will one day come. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

1 Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are they who maintain justice,
who constantly do what is right.
4 Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
Psalm 132 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 3:9-4:5 – Revelation 8:1-13 – Luke 10:17-24

Father, You heal me.
Sometimes, Lord, I wonder about suffering. I wonder why some are healed but others are not. I know from Your Word that it is Your intention for all Your children to live in health. Therefore, I choose to trust You when healing is evident. And I also trust You when it is not. I trust You when I understand and when I do not. I trust You because I will never be disappointed when I place my trust in You. Amen.
(From "Everyday Prayers for Everyday Cares")

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psalm 73 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Micah 3:1-8 – Revelation 7:9-17 – Luke 10:1-16