Daily Prayer, Sunday, October 20, 2013

How sweet are your words to my taste,

   sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

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 their 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, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

14 But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. 15 Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, 17 so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.

4:1 I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom. 2 Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction. 3 There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered. 4 They will turn their back on the truth and turn to myths. 5 But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances. Endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the good news, and carry out your service fully.

[Common English Bible]

Prayer for Today: God, as we go through the difficulties and challenges of our daily life, keep us mindful of the direction offered to us through the scripture. We are grateful, or we should remember to be grateful, for that instruction, even for its reproof and correction. Keep us persistent even in hard times. Keep us turned toward the truth. Amen.

Evening

Psalms 108, 109