Daily Prayer, Sunday, July 10

Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances (Psalm 119:109)

Morning
Invitatory Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.

You have founded it on the seas and established it on the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in your holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of heir salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek you, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.

Who is this King of glory?
the Lord of hosts,
You are the King of glory.

Psalms 90, 92, 93

Daily Lectionary Reading, Romans 8:1-11

So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin. 4 He did this so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us. Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. 5 People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. 6 The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. 7 So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. 8 People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.

9 But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to him. 10 If Christ is in you, the Spirit is your life because of God’s righteousness, but the body is dead because of sin. 11 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you. [Common English Bible]

Prayer for today:
Gracious God, we give thanks that you have freed us from sin and death. We give thanks for the gift of your Spirit. We pray now that we can live in your Spirit, live up to your Spirit, so that we will give up selfish thoughts and actions and focus instead on life and peace. Amen.


Evening
Psalms 108, 109

Appreciation of Creation, a Reflection on Psalm 65

God provides for us, Reflecting on Psalm 65
The psalmist is speaking of a great appreciation of God's creation. Many Christians are showing their appreciation by engaging in acts of protection of this gift.

Daily Prayer, Saturday, July 9

Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances (Psalm 119:109)

Morning
Invitatory Psalm 67
God, be gracious to us and bless us
and make your face to shine upon you,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us;
let all the ends of the earth revere you.


Psalms 81, 82, 85

Daily Lectionary Reading, Psalm 65:1-13

God of Zion,
to you even silence is praise.
Promises made to you are kept—
2 you listen to prayer—
and all living things come to you.

3 When wrongdoings become
too much for me,
you forgive our sins.
4 How happy is the one you choose
to bring close,
the one who lives in your courtyards!
We are filled full
by the goodness of your house,
by the holiness of your temple.


5 In righteousness you answer us,
by your awesome deeds,
God of our salvation—
you, who are the security
of all the far edges of the earth,
even the distant seas;
6 you establish the mountains
by your strength;
you are dressed in raw power;
7 you calm the roaring seas;
calm the roaring waves,
calm the noise of the nations.


8 Those who dwell on the far edges
stand in awe of your acts.
You make the gateways
of morning and evening sing for joy.
9 You visit the earth
and make it abundant,
enriching it greatly
by God’s stream, full of water.
You provide people with grain
because that is what you’ve decided.
10 Drenching the earth’s furrows,
leveling its ridges,
you soften it with rain showers;
you bless its growth.


11 You crown the year
with your goodness;
your paths overflow with rich food.
12 Even the desert pastures drip with it,
and the hills are dressed in pure joy.
13 The meadowlands are covered
with flocks,
the valleys decked out in grain—
they shout for joy;
they break out in song!
[Common English Bible]

Prayer for Today:

Wherever I look I see signs of God’s creative powers.
I see the turbulent sea, with all its mystery and power.
I see the mighty rivers as they slowly reach out to the sea.
I see the land, the mountains and hills, the trees and plants;
I see the ripening crops, the sheep and cattle that feed the hungry;
I see the cultivated lands, whose produce blesses so many people;
I see the barren deserts being transformed into lush pastures
I see the rocky and inaccessible land becoming fertile fields.
Everywhere I look I see God’s handiwork – and I give thanks!
Everywhere, I see something of the majesty and grandeur that is God.

Creative pause: Experiencing God’s creativity is a joy.


I hear the song of the birds and the buzz insects; the sounds of
different animals – large and small, loud and soft; the sounds
different languages from people of other cultures; the whistle of
the wind, the drumming of rain on the roof; and noise of rumbling
thunder - so many wonderful examples of God’s diverse creation.
Every day, I touch, taste and smell the wonders of God’s creativity—
how blest I am to live in a world created and sustained by my God!
I join with all creation in celebrating the wonders and majesty of my God.

Creative pause: I celebrate the wonders of my God.

If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2010 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year C, used with permission.

We praise you, O God, who answers our prayers, who forgives. We give thanks to you for the earth you have provided for us, the rain, the meadows, and the valleys. You are our salvation, our hope. Amen.

Evening
Psalm 107

The Efficacy of the Word, a Reflection on Isaiah 55:10-13

Jesus may have been giving his disciples a reality check when he told them the parable of the sower: All the seeds are good, but the ground really can differ.

Isaiah's message focuses on the positive. God sends rain to the earth and the rain returns to heaven. But, before returning, that rain causes seeds to sprout. Isaiah relates God's promise: "As the rain accomplishes my purpose, so does my word."

Isaiah is speaking to exiles fearing their homecoming.

When is it appropriate for us to remember the need for good soil? When is it appropriate for us to remember Isaiah's words of joy and welcome and inevitable love?

Daily Prayer, Friday, July 8

Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances (Psalm 119:109)

Morning
Invitatory Psalm 118
O Lord, we give thanks to to you, for you are good;
your steadfast love endures forever!
….
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?
….
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.


Psalms 76, 80

Daily Lectionary Reading, Isaiah 55:10-13
10 Just as the rain and the snow
come down from the sky
and don’t return there
without watering the earth,
making it conceive and yield plants
and providing seed to the sower
and food to the eater,
11 so is my word
that comes from my mouth;
it does not return to me empty.
Instead, it does what I want,
and accomplishes what I intend.
12 Yes, you will go out with celebration,
a nd you will be brought back in peace.
Even the mountains and the hills
will burst into song before you;
all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 In place of the thorn
the cypress will grow;
in place of the nettle
the myrtle will grow.
This will attest to the LORD’s stature,
an enduring reminder
that won’t be removed. [Common English Bible]

Prayer for Today:
O Lord, we see your work in the good that is all around us--Rain comes down and waters our crops so that we may have sufficient food. Open our eyes to see your other gifts--how your word can come to us and nourish us so that we can grow to provide gifts for all those who need them. Amen.

Midday Psalm 119:121-128

Evening
Psalm 106

Staying on the Path, a Reflection on Psalm 119:105-112

The Lord has provided us with a guide that will enable us to live the life that the Lord wishes for us to have, the one that will be the most beneficial to us.

What could be hard about following directions that lead to the intended destination? This portion of Psalm 119 included some problems; e.g., we get distracted by our own problems, we may get forgetful, or the wicked may interfere with our journey.

In spite of these potential roadblocks, we can still keep on the right path. It is well lighted. We promised to do it. We need to do it. The path brings us joy.

Here's a prayer from the website Timeless Prayers:

Trustworthy God, you have given us an inheritance that is invaluable – a life-long guide to living as children of God. Help us to learn well the lessons you have prepared for us, so that we may never be tempted to ignore or disregard your truths. We know there will be obstacles in life to overcome, but we seek you help in dealing with these traps with faith, courage and tenacity, as we journey towards our home in you. With joy, we celebrate the trustworthiness of our Great God.

If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.

Daily prayer, Thursday, July 7

Daily Prayer, Thursday, July 7
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances (Psalm 119:109)

Morning

Invitatory Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!

We praise you in your sanctuary;
we praise you in your mighty firmament!
We praise you for your mighty deeds;
We praise you according to your surpassing greatness!
We praise you with trumpet sound;
We praise you with tambourine and dance;
We praise you with strings and pipe!
We praise you with clanging cymbals;
We praise you with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 73

Daily Lectionary Reading, Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp before my feet
and a light for my journey.
106 I have sworn, and I fully mean it:
I will keep your righteous rules.
107 I have been suffering so much—
LORD , make me live again
according to your promise.
108 Please, LORD , accept my
spontaneous gifts of praise.
Teach me your rules!
109 Though my life is constantly in danger,
I won’t forget your Instruction.
110 Though the wicked have set a trap for me,
I won’t stray from your precepts.
111 Your laws are my possession forever
because they are my heart’s joy.
112 I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one.
[Common English Prayer]

Today's Prayer:

Inspirational God, you give us the wisdom and determination
to follow your guidance, and for this we give you our thanks.
With joy, we celebrate your unfailing mercy and holy presence. Amen.
[If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
© 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission.]

Midday Psalm 119:113-120

Evening
Psalm 105

Jacob's Stew, a Reflection on Genesis 25:19-34

Isaac prayed for his wife when she was barren; she prayed when she was pregnant.

The twins struggled in the womb, on the way out of the womb, and would continue their struggle.

God told Rebekah that the younger son would rule over the elder--a reversal of the expected. Primogeniture served as a way to preserve the family's holdings without war breaking out within the family.

Isaac preferred Esau, the son who could hunt; Rebekah preferred Jacob, the one who stayed at home. Or, Rebekah had been given advance information by God that Jacob was to be the stronger one, the one who was to be served by his elder brother, and Isaac had not been given this information.

Three ways to interpret this reversal:
God can make an expected choice
One who has been designated the winner can voluntarily give up his reward
Reminder--your brother may want to change the rules

Esau gives up his birthright because he is famished. Why does his brother make this demand?

OTOH: If the Lord intended for Esau to serve Jacob, why do we say that Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright?

From reading Come Out, My People! by Wes Howard-Brook:

Jacob will live not only to regret this "victory," but will desperately seek to "return" what he has taken. Both the taking and return are part of Genesis's parody on success-seeking apart from obedience to the Creator. Jacob has as yet no direct experience of YHWH. His cleverness makes a fool and an enemy out of his brother and the consequences chase him for decades.

Daily Prayer, Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances (Psalm 119:109)

Morning
Invitatory Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come into the Lord’s presence with singing.

We know that you are God.
It is you that made us, and we are yours.
we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.

We enter your gates with thanksgiving,
and your courts with priase.
We give thanks to you, bless your name.
For you, O Lord, are good;
your steadfast love endures forever,
and your faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 71, 72

Daily Lectionary Reading, Genesis 25:19-34

19 These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. 20 Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean and the sister of Laban the Aramean, from Paddan-aram. 21 Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, since she was unable to have children. The LORD was moved by his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 But the boys pushed against each other inside of her, and she said, “ If this is what it’s like, why did it happen to me? ”

So she went to ask the LORD . 23 And the LORD said to her,

“ Two nations are in your womb;
two different peoples will emerge from your body.
One people will be stronger
than the other;
the older will serve the younger. ”
24 When she reached the end of her pregnancy, she discovered that she had twins. 25 The first came out red all over, clothed with hair, and she named him Esau. 26 Immediately afterward, his brother came out gripping Esau’s heel, and she named him Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when they were born.

27 When the young men grew up, Esau became an outdoorsman who knew how to hunt, and Jacob became a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was boiling stew, Esau came in from the field hungry 30 and said to Jacob, “ I’m starving! Let me devour some of this red stuff. ” That’s why his name is Edom.

31 Jacob said, “ Sell me your birthright today. ”

32 Esau said, “ Since I’m going to die anyway, what good is my birthright to me? ”

33 Jacob said, “ Give me your word today. ” And he did. He sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 So Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate, drank, got up, and left, showing just how little he thought of his birthright. [Common English Bible]

Prayer for Today:
You provide us with gifts and with choices. We can readily see our own needs, but we need your prompting to recognize the needs of others. Help us to live up to the obligations that your gifts entail. Amen.

Lectio Divina:
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. (Psalm 105:107).

Midday Psalm 119:105-112

Evening
Psalm 104

Keep Sowing that Seed, a Reflection on Matthew 13:18-23

The lectionary suggests omitting verses 10 through 17. Don't. You might even want to read chapter 12, which is also left out of the lectionary.

In verses 1-9, Jesus is addressing the crowd. It's the same day that he has rejected his mother and brothers, replacing them with the disciples. The crowd is so big that Jesus had to get preach from a boat. He tells them a parable, then says to them, "Let anyone with ears listen!"

In the skipped verses, the disciples ask why he is speaking to the crowds in parables. He responds by saying not everybody is supposed to understand everything. Is his response an echo to Isaiah 6:9-10, where right after Isaiah has responded to God's call to preach to the people by saying "Here am I; send me," God tells him to say to the people that they are not able to understand?

I think Matthew wants me to think that Jesus wants this crowd to be good soil but realizes that some are a stony, some at risk to hungry birds, and some not deep enough to hold water. Is Jesus acting out for the disciples what they will continue to find--not everybody gets it?

Note that Jesus has to explain the parable to the disciples later. "Three-fourths of your audience will not get the message, but the fourth that does, will really get it."

But, even if we can't expect everybody to respond to the message, we are not supposed to restrict that message to what looks like the best soil to us. Keep scattering that seed. As Thomas Long says in his commentary on Matthew:

The church is called to "waste itself," to throw grace around like there is no tomorrow, precisely because there is a tomorrow, and it belongs to God.