It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Daily Prayer, Tuesday, August 16, 2011

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart.



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 God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
....
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
who bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.



Psalms 9, 10



Daily Lectionary Reading, Isaiah 51:1-6
Listen to me, you who look for righteousness, you who seek the LORD : Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry where you were dug. 2 Look to Abraham your ancestor, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. They were alone when I called them, but I blessed them and made them many. 3 The LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her ruins. He will make her desert like Eden and her wilderness like the LORD ’s garden. Happiness and joy will be found in her—thanks and the sound of singing.


4 Pay attention to me, my people; listen to me, my nation, for teaching will go out from me, my justice, as a light to the nations. 5 I will quickly bring my victory. My salvation is on its way, and my arm will judge the peoples. The coastlands hope for me; they wait for my judgment. 6 Look up to the heavens, and gaze at the earth beneath. The heavens will disappear like smoke, the earth will wear out like clothing, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But my salvation will endure forever, and my righteousness will be unbroken. [Common English Bible]


Prayer for Today:
O Lord, keep us mindful of all that you have done for us and for those who came before us. As we read the stories of your care for Abraham and Sarah, we can take comfort--and warning. Your teaching is available to us. Your salvation is available to us. Your righteousness is available to us. Prepare us. Shelter us. Prod us. Strengthen our hope and strengthen our will. Amen,



Midday Psalm 119:9-16



Evening
Psalms 11, 14, 15, 16

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