Tag: prayer

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalm 74;

Lamentation. 2:1-9; 2^nd Corinthians 1:23 to 2:11; Mark 12:1 to 11:

“Hear my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my petition.  Listen to me and answer me; I have no peace, because of my cares. (Psalm 55: 1 and 2)

The Psalmist sounds distressed about something and is begging God to be more present in what he cares about.

All of us have something, large or small, public or private, that we are concerned about and as we believe in God, we go to God for answers or at least divine intervention; as we should.

As we pray, it may seem sometimes that God has hidden from us and refuses to respond to our petition. To this I say, “Balderdash!”  God works in God’s time, not ours. However, based on what I have studied and pondered about God, God truly does work in mysterious ways. God answers prayers often in ways outside of our sphere of knowledge and understanding. We should continue to pray for God to act in our lives, and then, just watch and listen and be amazed at what God is doing.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us Pray:

Oh Lord God, Creator and Sustainer of life and beauty, without you there is no us.  Walk with us, we pray, that our lives may reflect your will, on this earth, and for this earth, and for all its inhabitants. You are the Grand Designer and lover of all life. Make yourself known in our lives in order that we might live, love, and work in ways pleasing to You, You who knows our needs before we ask, be with us and help us we pray: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 4^th week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43; Evening,  Psalm 108:1-6(7-13); 33;

Exodus 2:23 to 3:15; 1^st Corinthians 13:1 to 13; Mark 9:14 to 29:

“He said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.” (Mark 9:29)

I feel like not enough Christian effort is applied in prayer today, even as it was lacking back as Jesus witnessed when He walked among us. By this I mean the “sit-in-your-room-alone – prayer.” After the disciples of our Lord Jesus failed to cast out the evil spirit by whatever means they were using, Jesus himself interviewed the father of the boy about how long this has been happening. Then Jesus told the evil presence not only to come out of the boy, but also to never enter him again. Our Lord Jesus later explains about needing to pray more. He says that “This kind can come out only through prayer.”  This is still what we need today.

We have suffered as a planet from Covid and even some clergy, Christian clergy, have gone along with secular instruction to establish and maintain physical (social) distancing. And that has worked, but perhaps during our time (alone) and distancing, we should also be praying, pray without ceasing.  We’re pretty much out of it now but it has left its mark and some parishes are still trying to fully come to the place we were before Covid.

Perhaps this physical distancing was good advice for the physical self. How about our spiritual selves?  Sooner or later we will all stand before the One  for whom nothing is impossible.  What response will we give for not coming to our Lord for help?  Our former Presiding Bishop (the Most Reverend Micheal Curry) once said the most important prayer we can pray is one word, and that word is; “Help.”

Folks, we must have faith and believe. Our Lord Jesus took issue with the father who showed some doubt when he ask, “if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us” (Mark 9: 22).  To this Jesus responds, “‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes” (Mark 9: 23).  My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we must never underestimate the power of our faith in God and the power of prayer. Prayer brings to an end whatever troubles us. God will either take the trouble away from us or bring us out of the trouble. God loves us so much that God can’t refuse whatever we ask, but we must trust and ask. And we ask for the benefit of one another everywhere. We don’t ask just for ourselves, our family, or our Church or our Country, but for humankind all over the planet.

Today we remember Thomas Ken, Bishop and Non-Juror (March 21, 1711),  and his information may be found at: Thomas Ken

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Most holy and all powerful creating and loving Spirit, please hear our prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving, intersession, and personal needs. Remind us daily Dear Lord that prayer is our best connection to you, and that we should pray daily. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:49 to 72; Evening, Psalm 49;  

Genesis  37:25-36; 1st Corinthians 2:1 to 13; Mark 1:29 to 45:

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he [Jesus] got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.”  (Mark 1:35)

Whether you believe our Lord Jesus is God Incarnate, or the Son of God apart from God, you must take note of Jesus’ life of prayer.  The praying referred to in the passage above is tucked between healings.  On one side, before he prayed, “he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons” (Mark 1: 34).  On the other side, after he prayed, he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons (Mark 1: 39).  This work of healing and casting out demons was fortified by prayer. People, prayer works.

In these acts of prayer our Lord Jesus is teaching us the power of prayer as well as the importance of prayer. The Mystic, Evelyn Underhill, writes “We pray first because we believe something; perhaps at that stage a very crude or vague something.  And with the deepening of prayer, its patient cultivation, there comes – perhaps slowly, perhaps suddenly – the enrichment and enlargement of belief, as we enter into a first-hand communion with the Reality who is the object of our faith.” (Lent with Evelyn Underhill p.17; taken from The School of Charity)

You and I are products of God’s prayer.  God began creation by praying. “Let there be,” as witnessed in the opening of Genesis. With such words all creation was called into being.  The same “Word” that called all creation into being took on human form and dwelt among us. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (John 1:1 to 3). 

Everything about us comes from prayer, God’s prayer. We are prayer.  Therefore, we surely ought to be praying.  God still prays.  In fact, we never initiate prayer to God.  Given that God prays first, when we pray, we are always responding to God. This is true even when we think we are asking for something for the first time.  God is always ahead of us knowing our need before we ask.

As I truly believe this, I also believe God is the God of love and peace. I want us then to respond to God’s desire for human peace asking for an immediate end to all war in the world. This might require all believers to find a deserted place, even within our own homes, and there, pray for peace.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us Pray as our Lord and Savior taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44

Genesis 14:8 to 24; Hebrews 8:1 to13; John 4:43 to 54

“The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.” (John 4:49 – 50)

Intercessory prayer is so important.  In fact, prayer on behalf of others may be the most important prayers.  But like the official above, when we pray for someone, we must believe and go, go believing our Lord Jesus has done, or is doing, what is best.

I’m not so sure I like the continuation of this passage because the official who is the father, is trying to prove to himself that it was in fact Jesus who did the healing.  “As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’ The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household.”  (John 4: 51 – 53)

Prayer is not all fact based.  It is however, all love and hope filled.  We must hope and pray for people we love and for anyone whom we realize is in dire straits, even if they are not on our favorites list.  Prayer to our Lord Jesus works.  When we sincerely ask for help, or healing, or comfort for others, our Lord Jesus will hear our plea and will respond.  Remember, “God’s ears hears tears.”  Never, never, never give up, and don’t try to make sense of, or seek proof of, the Lord’s work.  But rather, just be thankful for it. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember The Conversion of The apostle Paul, as transferred from Yesterday, January 25, due to it being a Sunday; and his information may be found at: The Conversion of St. Paul.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O Almighty God, Creator and lover of all souls, help us we pray, to put aside all thoughts of selfish desires and to be more communal as You were when You walked among us, for the benefit of us. Enable our hearts to reach out to the real needs of others and to bring our loving concerns to You for Your universal loving care, for the welfare of all people. Amen

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 26: Year 1

Morning, Psalms75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
Ezra 9:1 and15; Revelation 17:1 and 14; Matthew 14:22 to 36:

“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,” (Matthew 14:22 and 23).

Among the many attributes of Jesus, he was a man of prayer. The two things that Jesus did often, that we regular people can, and should do as well is forgive others and ourselves, and to pray. 

We can’t give people their sight back, or make the lame walk, or raise the dead back to life, or even walk on the water as Jesus did in our reading for today. But we should ponder about forgiving others and ourselves for blunders done or things said or should have been said when it would have helped. 

Prayer too is what Jesus often did as recorded throughout the Gospel in all four versions. I particularly like the habit of Jesus to find a place alone to pray.  This is how I ponder, even now as I am writing this blog, I pray that God gives me the words that will help you. And who knows, maybe I might even find help for myself in the process.

Today we remember Ammonnius, Hermit, c. 403 and his information may be found at: Ammonius

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)      

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 25

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalm 103;
Nehemiah  1:1 to 11; Revelation 5:11 to 6:11; Matthew 13:18 to 23:

“When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven:” (Nehemiah 1:4)

Nehemiah broke down in tears upon hearing about the trouble and shame of those left behind and the destruction of the wall and gates of Jerusalem.  All of it was human-on-human violence.  He couldn’t bear it.

Weeping is prayer.  From Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21), to Mary Magdalene at the tomb of our Lord Jesus (The Gospel of John chapter 20), and many points in between, like the one we have for today, God’s ears hears tears.

When it comes to crying, it does not matter about one’s faith or even if one has a faith at all. God has hardwired us to connect with God whenever we cry. Therefore, even if one claims to be an atheist, but whose heart has moved him or her to crying, God is notified and acts in only the way God sees fit.

I have heard it said that real men don’t cry.  That’s Balderdash. If real men have real souls, (and they do), then something emotionally painful will cause their tears to flow.  And the super sensitive ears of God will definitely hear those water droplets flow down his cheeks, regardless of surrounding noise, and respond in ways that only God can.

There is too much sadness all around today.  We have natural disasters, disease fears and deaths, military threats, and we still have human-on-human violence and many other sad situations that cause all of us to come to tears as it did to Nehemiah. But God will never abandon us. “Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30). This is because God’s ears hears tears.

Today we remember John Wyclif, Translator and Controversialist, (October 30, 1384) and his information may be found at: John Wyclif

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 831)

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 25: Year C

 Luke 18:9 to 14:

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”  (Luke 18: 11)

I think we all ought to thank God all the time.  I believe in saying “Thank You Jesus” as often as I realize something good has just happened to me.  I Thank Jesus that I have only two Commandments rather than the 613 from the Hebrew Testament, or even 10, as in the Ten Commandments.  Two is much easier. To love God, and to love my neighbor, you.

Jesus’ two Commandments however require me to love God with all that I am and to love my neighbor as myself.  One does not love neighbor as self, and then be thankful that he is not his neighbor. I ponder further that it is not so much that one is not his neighbor, but that he has, and continues to exercise, a pious discipline in his life, that his neighbor has so far, not learned.

This story like the one about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38 – 42), makes us realize that we are both /and; and not either/or.  So let’s look at each man and see the good in each.

The Tax collector of antiquity is a victim.  He, in many cases, is a man of low standing in the community even before he’s made a tax collector. Often he is fatherless and handed over to the local Roman authorities for the purpose of collecting the tax.  While it is not his choice, he is hated by his native Israelite brethren as a participant and collaborator with Rome against his own people.

The Pharisee, afforded opportunity beyond his own doing, lives a religious life, keeping the tithe, fasting, praying, and yes, paying the tax.  We need people like the Pharisee still.  We need people who pray, who set aside money to take care of the needy in charitable giving to the Church, and other charitable organizations as well as paying taxes.  We should not look down on the discipline of the Pharisee.  But we must be cautioned about his holier- than- thou attitude regarding his neighbor.

Both men teach two very important lessons. First, we should be thankful for what we are able to do in worship to God without looking down on those who either cannot, or have as yet not been able to reach a better level of discipline. And second, we all need to recognize our own short-comings and ask God for mercy and forgiveness.  And this mercy is necessary somewhere for all of us. We are both of these two men at varying levels, certainly not either/or.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Proper 25 The Sunday closest to October 26 (BCP p. 235)

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 24: Year C

 Luke 18:1-8

“And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?  I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18: 7 – 8)

This parable is so much like the parable about the man who received guest but with nothing to feed them.  He went to his neighbor’s door at midnight and knocked and asked for something to feed his guests. At first the neighbor refused and said that he and his children had gone to bed.  But Jesus says that because the man in need is persistent he will get up and give him whatever he needs.  (Luke 11: 5 – 8)  We humans are hard wired to give in to requests. It is perhaps in this way that we are created in God’s Image.

We humans are also hardwired to transmit to God any distress we might be experiencing, particularly when we are moved to crying.  God’s ears hears tears. Crying is praying regardless of what the person who is crying thinks in terms of what he or she believes. Our souls believe.

I think intentional  prayer is a state of being. Inwardly we may ask ourselves “what is my life all about?”  What does God want of me?  We have fancy words for this kind of seeking.  We call it discernment, or a calling.  We ask what our “call” is in this life. But we also ask for our needs to be filled.  All of us stand in the need of prayer. And all of us stand in the need to pray continually.

We may not want to admit it, but we are born to beg. Like the parable about the unjust judge and the woman seeking justice, God wants to hear our requests. If we are begging God for something, it means that we at least believe in God. If we persist in our faith-wrestle with God, God gives in just as God did with Jacob and renamed him Israel. (Genesis 32:22 to 30)

So when the Son of Man comes, will he come as a result of prayer, prayer brought on by faith?  Because you see, the genesis (the birth) of intentional prayer is faith.  Therefore, where there is prayer there already has to be faith; even if we are unaware of it.

We can have faith and yet not pray.  But if we pray it is evident that we believe, and therefore have faith.  And it is through that very faith that we pray.  Jesus wants to know if we will have faith when he comes- when he comes to answer our prayers. You are people of faith. Therefore, pray, and pray always.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Proper 24 The Sunday closest to October 19 (BCP p. 235)

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
2^nd Kings 9:17 to 37; 1^st  Corinthians 7:1 to 9; Matthew 6:7 to 15:

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14 and 15)

In this chapter of Matthew our Lord Jesus has taught us to pray in the words of what we now call, “The Lord’s Prayer.”  Jesus concludes with the reminder about forgiveness. It seems God applies to us the very same criterion we use to judge others.

Every human being makes mistakes.  Sometimes the mistakes we make are because we didn’t know any better.  Sometimes we make terrible mistakes because we are wrongheaded. Be it a mistake or immaturity, we must learn to see it in our selves, and then we must learn to see it in others. Some people offend us accidently.  Sometimes people offend us on purpose.

We are flawed but not because of any oversight on God’s part except for maybe giving us intellect and reason. We are primarily flawed because we haven’t tempered our intellect and reason with love, which is also a gift from God. We should not use one without the other. Intellect and reason used in loving ways towards one another encourages us to forgive one another. God sees our loving compassion and so God is compassionate with us as well.

Let us relax then and ponder about those who have hurt us in one way or another.  Did they not know any better?  Was the hurt caused on purpose? Were they just trying to help themselves at our expense? Was the hurt or sin something that they could possibly go away over time?  I invite you to ask these same questions about the hurt or sin you have caused regarding someone else. Be especially focused on whether or not your hurtful or sinful behavior is something you can, and should, grow out of over time. Forgive with love, and be forgiven with God’s love.

Today our Church remembers Lancelot Andrewes; Bishop and Scholar (September 26, 1626). He reminds us of the importance of Thursdays in our Church history. Two of his commemorations are the Thursday of the Lord’s Supper after which he was arrested; and, forty days after the Sunday of His Resurrection from the dead is of course His ascent back to heaven; Ascension Day, Thursday. I would add, post biblically, that our early settlers established Thanksgiving Day on a Thursday. I wonder if they were influenced by Lancelot Andrews. Ponder, Ponder. His information may be found at: Lancelot Andrewes.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John 

Let us pray: (As found on page 336 of the BCP)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.