Morning Prayer:

 

God is the living Centre of everything

 

Wednesday January 21st 2015

Said all together except for the sentences marked ‘Call’ which are for the Leader only.

+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.

 

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

 

Opening sentences:
One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.

Call: Who is it that you seek?
Response: We seek the Lord our God.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Response: Amen. Christ, have mercy.

 

Declaration of faith:

To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that You are the Holy One of God.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory.

 

Today’s Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

 

 

Reflection on the passage

read through the passage slowly, listening with your heart as well as your head.

when you find a verse or phrase that holds your attention, ruminate on it, rumble it over in your mind and your heart

respond by talking to God about what you’re thinking and feeling.

Rest in the truth of the words you’re reading. Make a note of them. Come back to them through the day, maybe at lunchtime, in the car or bus, over making coffee, etc

 

 

Today’s Meditation:

Faith and Failure From Eugene Petersen: ‘Bathsheba Gate’

 

‘God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! (Titus 2:11 The Message)

 

Michelangelo sculpted in marble what many Jews and Christians have carved in their imaginations – a flawless David, the spirited human body in perfection. But the Biblical text does not give us a flawless David. Putting people on pedestals is a way of not having to deal with who they really are (and who the God working in them really is).

 

The Biblical narrator insists on telling us everything bad about David…the narrator refuses to idealise or glamorise him tom show that God’s sovereignty works through just such a mixed bag of human failure and sin.

 

 

Prayers for others and for the day:

Pray for your neighbours, the people you work with, study with, shop alongside.

pray for those who come to Welcome Friend, and the many who live around us who are far from home.

pray for the people of Nigeria facing the terror of Boko Haram; for the people of Syria facing the terror of IS; for others in the news today

lay out your own day before God

 

Canticle:
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
 

This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.

 

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.

 

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen