Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. 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

7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;

    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;

    pour out your heart before him;

    God is a refuge for us. Selah

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;

    those of high estate are a delusion;

    in the balances they go up;

    they are together lighter than a breath.

10 Put no trust in extortion;

    set no vain hopes on robbery;

    if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:

     that power belongs to God,

12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

    For you will render to a man according to his work.

Psalm 62 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Kings 5:1-19 – 1 Corinthians 4:8-21  – Matthew 5:21-26

Father, Lord of heaven and earth, by whose gracious will the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike, make us learn from your Son humility of heart, that in shouldering his yoke we may find refreshment and rest. 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 Praise the Lord!

   Praise the Lord from the heavens;

    praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels;

    praise him, all his hosts!

3 Praise him, sun and moon,

    praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

    and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!

    For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever;

    he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Psalm 148 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

2 Kings 1:2-17 – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23  – Matthew 5:11-16

Theodore of Tarsus

Almighty God, who called your servant Theodore of Tarsus from Rome to the see of Canterbury, and gave him gifts of grace and wisdom to establish unity where there had been division, and order where there had been chaos: Create in thy Church, we pray, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, such godly union and concord that it may proclaim, both by word and example, the Gospel of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

    for those who fear him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is there who desires life

    and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Kings 22:29-45 – 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15  – Matthew 5:1-10

Dag Hammarskjold, Peacemaker

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(From, the Book of Common Prayer)

1 Lord, you were favorable to your land;

    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;

    you covered all their sin. Selah

3 You withdrew all your wrath;

    you turned from your hot anger.

4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,

    and put away your indignation toward us!

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,

    that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,

    and grant us your salvation

Psalm 85 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Kings 22:1-28 – 1 Corinthians 2:1-13  – Matthew 4:18-25

Hildegard of Bingen

O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there,

    living things both small and great.

26 There go the ships,

    and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

27 These all look to you

    to give them their food in due season;

28 when you give to them, they gather it up;

    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;

    when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.

30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created;

    and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

    may the Lord rejoice in his works—

32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,

    who touches the mountains and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,

    for I rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 104 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Kings 21:17-29 – 1 Corinthians 1:20-31  – Matthew 4:12-17

Cyprian of Carthage

O God, Shepherd of your church, your servant Cyprian strengthened your people by his ministry and by the witness of his suffering: By his example give us courage boldly to confess your Name, to endure suffering for the gospel, and ever work for the unity of your church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

( P. Pfatteicher after Roman Sacramentary)

10 I believed, even when I spoke,

    "I am greatly afflicted";

11 I said in my alarm,

     "All mankind are liars."

12 What shall I render to the LORD

      for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

     and call on the name of the LORD,

14 I will pay my vows to the LORD

     in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD

     is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, I am your servant;

     I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.

    You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving

    and call on the name of the LORD

Psalm 116 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Kings 21:1-16 – 1 Corinthians 1:1-19  – Matthew 4:1-11

John Chrysostom

O God, who gave to your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellency in preaching, and fidelity in ministering your Word, that your people shall be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen

1 Hear this, all peoples!

    Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 both low and high,

    rich and poor together!

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;

    the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;

    I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,

    when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,

6 those who trust in their wealth

    and boast of the abundance of their riches?

7 Truly no man can ransom another,

    or give to God the price of his life,

8 for the ransom of their life is costly

    and can never suffice,

Psalm 49 English Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)

1 Kings 18:20-40 – Philippians 3:1-16  – Matthew 3:1-12