Wednesday, October 20






Matthew 4:17-22



17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren,
Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea:
for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me,
and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets,
and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren,
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,
mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father,
and followed him.


Today's Prayer...



Lord our God,

We gather together in your presence and ask you to let your light shine
in our hearts to strengthen us in times of need and trouble. May we come
to know that through all the storms and distress of the world, you are mighty
in protecting and sheltering those who trust in you. May we realize the
power of your kingdom. Even if all the kingdoms of the world rise in rebellion,
you are with us. You are with those who have set their hope on your kingdom
and who go on hoping that even in evil days something must happen through
your great and holy rule.


In the Name of the Most Holy we
pray in Jesus' Name

Amen

Thursday, October 21






Proverbs 12:23-28



23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge:
but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule:
but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop:
but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour:
but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting:
but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life:
and in the pathway thereof there is no death.


Today's Prayer...



Lord God,

We come before you and ask you to turn our hearts and minds to you alone,
to you who have power over the whole world and who can do everything
in our hearts according to your will. Let there be light in our time.
Hear and answer the many prayers that have already come to you,
rising for centuries before your throne, prayers for your kingdom and
for your will on earth. This earth has become the prey of evil. We are
poor and needy, and you alone can help us. Help us, O Lord, our God and Father.
After this misery let your day come, your great day over all the world and over all peoples.


In the Name of the Most Holy we
pray in Jesus' Name

Amen

Friday, October 22






Matthew 19:13-21



13 Then were there brought unto him little children,
that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not,
to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him,
Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life,
keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder,
Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept
from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.


Today's Prayer...



Lord our God,

Our Father in heaven, be with us as we are gathered here.
Through your Spirit let our hearts grow in understanding of how
we can serve you rightly and live as you want us to live. Help us
hold fast to all that is good. Free us more and more from everything
that hinders us, from all that is evil. Show your loving-kindness
to us and to our loved ones, wherever they may be. Hear every
human heart that sighs to you, pleading that what is of heaven
may overcome what is of earth.


In the Name of the Most Holy we
pray in Jesus' Name

Amen

Saturday, October 23






Acts 4:8-14



8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them,
Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man,
by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified,
whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand
here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders,
which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took
knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them,
they could say nothing against it.


Today's Prayer...



Lord our God,

Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who encourages
and strengthens us in all distress, we thank you for turning our
suffering into a pathway to life, so that we may be thankful and
trusting through everything. You can change what we find hardest
into what is best for us. Praise to your name that a way through sin
and death is given to us. Praise to your name that you have shown
us a way through all evil, a way that is blest.


In the Name of the Most Holy we
pray in Jesus' Name

Amen

Sunday, October 23






Psalm 139:1-8



1 O lord, thou hast searched me,
and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down,
and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue,
but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before,
and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit?
or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:
if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.


Today's Prayer...



Dear Father in heaven,

We thank you that with our poor, faulty, sinful, and death-ridden lives
we may find shelter in your love. We thank you that we are your children.
We thank you that whatever we are, however depressed we are about
ourselves and the inadequacy of our own nature, we are still your children.
Give us your Spirit, we pray. Give us your Holy Spirit, penetrating our
whole nature, our flesh and blood, keeping us firm in faith under all
temptation and distress. Give us your Spirit to fill us with hope as we look
to the future, to fill us with certainty in our Lord Jesus Christ, who was,
and is, and is to come, whose victory is before our eyes so that we never
waver or become afraid. Give us your Spirit so that we may live in this
certainty and prepare ourselves more and more for your coming into the
world. May we come to know that your loving-kindness is at work today,
that in the end your deliverance will come quickly, to the glory of your name.


In the Name of the Most Holy we
pray in Jesus' Name

Amen