The Watchword for the Week:
For to me, living is Christ, and dying is gain. Philippians 1:21
Let the whole earth be joyful in you, O God,
We greet you with gladness and celebrate your presence with a song.
For we know that you are creating us,
you are alive in us, and we belong to you.
We enter your gates, a motley procession,
But we enter with heartfelt thanksgiving and joy.
For you are gracious and your embrace is compassionate,
faithful through all generations.
Psalm 145:1-8
I will extol you, my God and Ruler,
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is God, and greatly to be praised;
God’s greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
God is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Knowing that through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, we now lay those sins and their burdens upon the throne of Grace.
Forgive us loving God for the winding path upon which you have to travel to find us. As we bend to the selfish influences of our culture, we lose sight of your intended will for us. We often live by fear rather than by faith because we underestimate your power to heal the parts of us that are broken. At the same time, we fail to correct the parts of us that have drifted from your influence. Bring us back to you so that we might respond to your grace – living it each day. Give us the courage to give you unhindered access to all of who we are.
Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to them and proclaim that they have suffered long enough, that their penalty is paid, and their sins are forgiven.
We praise God by saying: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Take time to read today’s Daily Texts. Remember that God speaks to us through the inspiration of scripture, so approach the opportunity to read the texts as a privilege, eagerly anticipating what might be spoken to you today. How might today’s Word make a part of your life new again? If you do not have a copy of the Daily Texts, you will find today’s texts posted in the margin on the right of your page (at the bottom of the page if you are on a mobile phone). When you have finished praying, continue as follows.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and forever. Amen
ISAIAH 40:30-31
Even those who are young grow weak;
the young can fall exhausted.
But those who wait on the Lord for help
will find their strength renewed.
They will rise on wings like eagles;
they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
Christ, the Light of the world, empower us to live as lights in this dark world of sin.
Christ, lead us into good stewardship of creation that we and our children may preserve and enjoy the world entrusted to us.
O Emmanuel, God with Us, Jesus Christ, the desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell within our hearts and lives.
We praise you, for you are good,
And your mercy endures forever. Amen.