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.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Daily Prayer, Friday, September 30, 2011

Restore us, O God;
 let your face shine, that we may be saved.



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, Psalm 19
Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. 2 One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known. 3 Of course, there’s no speech, no words— their voices can’t be heard— 4 but their soundk extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth. God has made a tent in heaven for the sun. 5 The sun is like a groom coming out of his honeymoon suite; like a warrior, it thrills at running its course. 6 It rises in one end of the sky; its circuit is complete at the other. Nothing escapes its heat. 7 The LORD ’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being. The LORD ’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. 8 The LORD ’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The LORD ’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes. 9 Honoring the LORD is correct, lasting forever. The LORD ’s judgments are true. All of these are righteous! 10 They are more desirable than gold— than tons of pure gold!— and they are sweeter than honey— even dripping off the honeycomb! 11 No doubt about it: your servant is enlightened by them; there is great reward in keeping them. 12 But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin 13 and save your servant from willful sins. Don’t let them rule me. Then I’ll be completely blameless; I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, LORD , my rock and my redeemer
[Common English Bible]


Today's Prayer: Holy God, when we combine the complex simplicity of your law, and the glories of your creative and sustaining powers, we are even more overwhelmed by the thoughts of God that flood into our minds and hearts. We seek your blessings as we try to live these thoughts out each day within this world you have created as our home and haven— even as we fail to abide by these laws, and we damage some part of your creation. O God, keep us from deliberate sins and don’t let them have control us! Each day, may the words of our mouths and the thoughts of our hearts be pleasing to you, our Rock and Redeemer. 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 119:121-128


Evening
Psalm 106

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