Daily Prayer, Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Turn to me and be gracious to me

Morning


Invitatory Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.


....
O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.



Psalms 9, 10



Daily Lectionary Reading, 1 Kings 13:5-12

⁵ The LORD appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, “ Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you. ”⁶ Solomon responded, “ You showed so much kindness to your servant my father David when he walked before you in truth, righteousness, and with a heart true to you. You’ve kept this great loyalty and kindness for him and have now given him a son to sit on his throne. ⁷ And now, LORD my God, you have made me, your servant, king in my father David’s place. But I’m young and inexperienced. I know next to nothing. ⁸ But I’m here, your servant, in the middle of the people you have chosen, a large population that can’t be numbered or counted due to its vast size. ⁹ Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help. ”

¹⁰ It pleased the LORD that Solomon had made this request. ¹¹ God said to him, “ Because you have asked for this instead of requesting long life, wealth, or victory over your enemies—asking for discernment so as to acquire good judgment— ¹² I will now do just what you said. Look, I hereby give you a wise and understanding mind. There has been no one like you before now, nor will there be anyone like you afterward. [Common English Bible]

Today's Prayer:
May my prayer echo Solomon's. Give me understanding that will enable me to discern the difference between good and evil, to want to make that discernment, and always to act on it. Amen.


Lectio Divina: The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:30).


Midday Psalm 119:9-16


Evening
Psalms 11, 14, 15, 16