Messiah Daily Prayers
17th Sunday after Pentecost
September 27 thru October 4
OPENING
Blessed be the Holy Trinity -- Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier
Who gives life, healing, and resurrection
DAILY PSALM 28
1 O LORD, I call to you; my rock, do not be deaf | to my cry;
lest, if you do not hear me, I become like those
who go down | to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry | out to you,
when I lift up my hands to your ho- | ly of holies.
3 Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the | evildoers,
who speak peaceably with their neighbors,
while strife is | in their hearts.
4 Repay them according to their deeds,
and according to the wickedness | of their actions.
According to the work of their hands repay them,
and give them their | just deserts.
5 They have no understanding of the LORD's works
or the deeds | of God's hands;
therefore God will break them down and not | build them up.
6 Blessed | be the LORD,
who has heard the voice | of my prayer.
7 You, LORD, are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in you,
and I | have been helped;
so my heart exults, and with my song I give | thanks to you.
8 You, LORD, are the strength | of your people,
a safe refuge for | your anointed.
9 Save your people and bless | your inheritance;
shepherd them and carry | them forever.
DAILY READINGS
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17th
EZEKIEL 18:1-4, 25-32 – the people are encouraged to turn away from playing the blame game and despair and turn to God.
Matthew 21:23-32 – Jesus tells the parable about two kinds of people. Some say yes but do not follow thru. Some say no but do follow thru.
MONDAY JUDGES 14:1-20 – Look at the chaos in this reading. Parents disapprove of Samson’s choice for a bride. He shares honey from an unclean source. He throws a party, then teases his guests. His wife nags him. He kills 30 men then gives the wife away to the best man. Sometimes people waste the strength God has given them.
TUESDAY JUDGES 16:1-22 – The low character quality of Samson continues. He goes into Philistine territory to visit a prostitute. Then he falls in love with Delilah, who will lead to his demise. He mocks Delilah. Finally, he trusts her with the secret of his mistake.
WEDNESDAY JUDGES 16:23-31 – Delilah had betrayed Samson to the Philistines. They had gouged out his eyes and made a spectacle of him at a religious feast. He asks God for one more vengeful show of strength. He succeeds in killing the party goers and himself. One of the lessons from Samson’s wasted life is it is common to squander the strength God has given us.
THURSDAY MATTHEW 9:2-8 – Jesus speaks and Jesus acts. He forgives the paralyzed men. Then he heals the paralyzed man. Jesus shows us how to be people of words and acts.
FRIDAY JOSHUA 4:1-10, 19-24 – The people cross the Jordan River, safely entering the Promised Land. They take twelve stones, one for each tribe, and arrange them as a permanent reminder of their journey home. They received the land from God as gift. How they conduct themselves will be their task.
SATURDAY Philippians 1:3-30 – Paul writes from prison to the community at Philippi. They (and we) have heard the words of the gospel. Paul tells them (and us) to live lives worthy of that gospel.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4, 2020
Isaiah 5:1-7 is a poem about Israel as God’s vineyard. She did not yield the justice she was called to yield. So, for a time, she became desolate.
Mathew 21:33-46 – Religious leaders plot Jesus’ death. Using images from Isaiah 5, Jesus tells a parable that predicts his death. Unwittingly, those who plotted against Jesus, are part of the fulfillment of his ministry.
RESPONSE AFTER THE READING
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul
PRAYERS
DAILY PRAYER – O God, we than you that your son came among us as a servant. Guide us by your Holy Spirit into the way ways of His mind that we may serve all people. Amen
PRAY THIS IN THE MORNING
I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, thru Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me thru the night form all danger and harm. I ask that you would protect me today from sin and every danger, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen
PRAY THIS AT NOON
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms. Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved. Amen
PRAY THIS IN THE EVENING
We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, thru Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected us today. We ask you to forgive us all our sins, where we have done wrong, and graciously to protect us this night. Into your hands we commend ourselves: our bodies, our souls, and all that is ours. Let your holy angels be with us, so that the wicked foe may have no power over us. Amen
PRAYER FOR OUR SCHOOLS
Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively places for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom. Grant that those who teach and learn may find you to be the source of all truth. Amen
PRAYER FOR HARVEST
Gracious God, when you open your hand you satisfy the desire of every living being. Bless the land and waters, and give the world a plentiful harvest. Let your Spirit go forth to renew the face of the earth and save us from selfish use of your gifts. Amen
PRAY THIS PRAYER TO CURE THE CORONA VIRUS
Holy Trinity, drive away this virus from our bodies, from our buildings, from our atmosphere. Give us victory over this disease and enable us to serve you now and evermore. Amen
CLOSING
God keep us in light and peace, in health and safety, today and every day. Amen
Messiah Daily Prayers
16th Sunday after Pentecost
9.20.2020 thru 9.27.2020
OPENING
Blessed be the Holy Trinity -- Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier
Who gives life, healing, and resurrection
Psalm 106 on MONDAY-TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
Psalm 106:
1Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for the | LORD is good,
for God's mercy en- | dures forever.
2Who can declare the mighty acts | of the LORD
or proclaim in | full God's praise?
3Happy are those who | act with justice
and always do | what is right.
4Remember me, O LORD, with the favor you have | for your people,
and visit me with | your salvation;
5that I may see the prosperity of your elect
and be glad with the gladness | of your people,
that I may glory with | your inheritance.
6We have sinned as our | forebears did;
we have done wrong | and dealt wickedly.
7In Egypt they did not consider your marvelous works,
nor remember the abundance of your | steadfast love;
they rebelled by the sea, | by the Red Sea.
8But you saved them | for your name's sake,
to make your | power known.
9You rebuked the Red Sea, and | it dried up,
and you led them through the deep as | through a desert.
10You saved them from the hand of those who | hated them
and redeemed them from the hand | of the enemy.
11The waters covered | their oppressors;
not one of | them was left.
12Then they be- | lieved your words
and sang songs of | praise to you.
Psalm 25 on THURSDAY-FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Psalm 25:
1To | you, O LORD,
I lift | up my soul.
2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph | over me.
3Let none who look to you be | put to shame;
rather let those be put to shame | who are treacherous.
4Show me your | ways, O LORD,
and teach | me your paths.
5Lead me in your | truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all | the day long.
6Remember, O LORD, your compas- | sion and love,
for they are from | everlasting.
7Remember not the sins of my youth and | my transgressions;
remember me according to your steadfast love
and for the sake of your good- | ness, O LORD.
8You are gracious and up- | right, O LORD;
therefore you teach sinners | in your way.
9You lead the low- | ly in justice
and teach the low- | ly your way.
DAILY READINGS SEPTEMBER 21, 22, 23 – reflect back on Sunday September 20
The Facebook Page “Good Day” will comment on one of these passages every day. Click on https://m.facebook.com/Good-Day-1194391907243363/
Sunday, September 20
Jonah 3:10-4:11 Jonah is depressed and upset with God for not punishing Nineveh. God asks Jonah a rhetorical question, “May I not be concerned for confused Ninevites?” The answer is, of course God is concerned. God is slow to anger and abounding in love.
Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus tells the story of the land owner paying full wage to ALL the workers, the less than adequate workers as well. The landowner is generous for generosity sake.
Monday
Genesis 27:1-29. There’s a divine surprise here. The younger son, not the first born, gets the blessing. Culture has its order of preferences and status. God blesses especially those whom culture has left behind. Recall Sunday’s parable about the landowner paying a full day’s wage to those who for whatever reason were unable to work a full day.
Romans 16:1-6. At the end of his magnum opusletter to Rome, Paul mentions those who are important for his ministry. Women are specifically mentioned. After Paul, for a long time, church will forget the role of women and ignore the contribution of many.
Tuesday
Genesis 28:10-17. Jacob had many faults, among them cheating his dad and brother. Jacob is on the run, yet God pursues and blesses Jacob. Recall Sunday’s Jonah story about God being slow to anger and showing steadfast love. Jacob will reconcile with his family. His 12 sons will begin the 12-Tribes of ancient Israel.
Romans 16:17-20. Paul warns the community at Rome about conflict. He had dealt with huge conflict other times in his ministry. He leaves a nice bit of advice here, “Be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil.”
Wednesday
Isaiah 41:1-13. Isaiah references the role of God in calling up forces that topple empires. This contrasts with Sunday’s passage in Jonah that God is slow to anger. At the same time, God permits history to run its course. People do turn away from God and sin results. This Isaiah passage references the city of Nineveh. She was a bloodthirsty city state who fell to Babylonians in 612 BC. The Babylonians were equally bloodthirsty and cruel. They fell to Persia in 539 BC. And so it goes.
Matthew 18:1-5. In today’s reading it is the least who are the greatest. There is a different way of looking at things in the Kingdom of God. Sunday’s parable about ALL the workers receiving a full day’s wage illustrates this generosity of God.
DAILY READINGS SEPTEMBER 24, 25, 26 – look ahead to Sunday September 27
Thursday
Ezekiel 12:17-28. We’ll read from Ezekiel four days in a row. Ezekiel anticipates doom for Jerusalem. Her inhabitants should eat and drink in fear. If the house is persistently rebellious it will suffer the consequences.
James 4:11-16. The Book of James brings solid teaching about how we are to be in community. This passage addresses how we talk about one another and how to make plans and commitments.
Friday
Ezekiel 18:5-18. This passage lists the ways of a just society. A society that lives this responsibly shall endure and live.
Acts 13:32-41. This is from Paul’s sermon at the synagogue in Antioch, on his first missionary journey. Antioch became a great center for Christian mission. Verse 25 references John the Baptist. In Sunday’s reading the parable Jesus will teach is in response to controversy about John the Baptist.
Saturday
Ezekiel 18:19-24. Ezekiel does not want children to suffer for the wrongs of their parents. He wants every generation to turn away from wicked behavior and so live.
Mark 11:27-33. This is Mark’s version of the story we’ll hear tomorrow in Matthew 21.
Sunday, September 27th/ 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32. Ezekiel gives two images of a culture ill at ease, not at peace with itself: grapes are sour and teeth are on edge. He calls for people to turn away from wicked ways and return to God.
Matthew 21:23-32. This is the parable about a man with two sons. One son ssaid he would do what his dad asked, then did not. The other said he would not do what his dad asked, then he did it. The kingdom of God is comprised of doers, not say-ers.
RESPONSE AFTER THE READING
Word of God / Word of Life
SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY DAILY PRAYER
O God, you show perpetual lovingkindness to us, your servants. Grant us your mercy and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY DAILY PRAYER
God of love, giver of life, give us grace to overcome our frailties and failings and keep us from those things that harm us. Amen
PRAY THIS IN THE MORNING
I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, thru Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me thru the night form all danger and harm. I ask that you would protect me today from sin and every danger, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen
PRAY THIS AT NOON
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms. Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved. Amen
PRAY THIS IN THE EVENING
We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, thru Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected us today. We ask you to forgive us all our sins, where we have done wrong, and graciously to protect us this night. Into your hands we commend ourselves: our bodies, our souls, and all that is ours. Let your holy angels be with us, so that the wicked foe may have no power over us. Amen
PRAYER FOR ALL IN THE NIGHT TIME
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give hour angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, sooth the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; all for your love’s sake. Amen
PRAY THIS PRAYER TO CURE THE CORONA VIRUS
Holy and blessed Trinity, drive away this virus from our bodies, from our buildings, from our atmosphere. Give us victory over this disease and enable us to serve you now and evermore. Amen
CLOSING
God keep us in light and peace, in health and safety, today and every day. Amen
Messiah Daily Prayers
15th Sunday after Pentecost
9.13.2020 – 9.20.2020
OPENING
Blessed be the Holy Trinity -- Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier
Who gives life, healing, and resurrection
Psalm 145 on MONDAY-TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
Psalm 145
1I will exalt you, my | God and king,
and bless your name forev- | er and ever.
2Every day | will I bless you
and praise your name forev- | er and ever.
3Great is the LORD and greatly | to be praised!
There is no end | to your greatness.
4One generation shall praise your works | to another
and shall de- | clare your power.
5I will speak of the glorious splendor | of your majesty
and all your | marvelous works.
6They shall tell of the might of your | wondrous acts,
and I will re- | count your greatness.
7They shall publish the remembrance of | your great goodness;
they shall sing joyfully | of your righteousness.
8The LORD is gracious and full | of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love.
PSALM 106 on THURSDAY-FRIDAY-SATURDAY
1Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for the | LORD is good,
for God's mercy en- | dures forever.
2Who can declare the mighty acts | of the LORD
or proclaim in | full God's praise?
3Happy are those who | act with justice
and always do | what is right.
4Remember me, O LORD, with the favor you have | for your people,
and visit me with | your salvation;
5that I may see the prosperity of your elect
and be glad with the gladness | of your people,
that I may glory with | your inheritance.
6We have sinned as our | forebears did;
we have done wrong | and dealt wickedly.
7In Egypt they did not consider your marvelous works,
nor remember the abundance of your | steadfast love;
they rebelled by the sea, | by the Red Sea.
8But you saved them | for your name's sake,
to make your | power known.
9You rebuked the Red Sea, and | it dried up,
and you led them through the deep as | through a desert.
10You saved them from the hand of those who | hated them
and redeemed them from the hand | of the enemy.
11The waters covered | their oppressors;
not one of | them was left.
12Then they be- | lieved your words
and sang songs of | praise to you.
DAILY READINGS SEPTEMBER 13th thru SEPTEMBER 20th
The daily bible reading schedule (“Daily Lectionary”) in the back of ELW divides the week. Monday Tuesday Wednesday readings reflect back on the preceding Sunday. Thursday Friday Saturday readings anticipate the following Sunday. It is permissible to select the daily readings that all relate to the upcoming Sunday. This schedule does that. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday readings all anticipate the readings assigned for Sunday, September 20th. The Facebook Page “Good Day” will reference one of these daily readings. Click on https://m.facebook.com/Good-Day-1194391907243363/
Monday
Nahum 1:1, 14—2:2. We rarely hear from Prophet Nahum. He prophesied the fall of the Assyrian city Nineveh. In 612 BC the Babylonians destroyed Nineveh. We’re reading Nahum on Nineveh today because Sunday’s reading is the Jonah story. The Jonah story is about Jonah’s relationship with Nineveh.
II Corinthians 13:1-4. Paul references his third and painful visit to the community at Corinth. He sought to repair his ruptured relationship with them. His reaching out to them is not a sign of weakness but is an example of the unexpected ways of God’s power at work.
Tuesday
Nahum 2:3-13. Dramatic, poetic language describes the sack of Nineveh. No empire is invincible, no city walls are insurmountable.
II Corinthians 13:5-10. Paul had to correct faulty thinking and irresponsible acting among the folk at Corinth. His way of correcting them did not devastate or punish; his interactions with them strengthened them.
Wednesday
Zephaniah 2:13-15. Nahum was not the only Old Testament prophet who wrote about the destruction of Nineveh in 612 BC. What happened to Nineveh then will happen to Jerusalem, starting in 598 BC.
Matthew 19:23-30. Jesus gives us the order of honor in the Kingdom of God. The last are first and the first are last. There is a holy humility, and tremendous ease of anxiety, when we step out of the current of self-promotion and into the flow serving.
Thursday
Genesis 27:1-29. There’s a divine surprise here. The younger son, not the first born, gets the blessing. Culture has its order of preferences and status. God blesses and is with especially those whom culture has left behind.
Romans 16:1-6. At the end of his magnum opusletter to Rome, Paul mentions those who are important for his ministry. Women are specifically mentioned. After Paul, for a long, long time church will forget the role of women and ignore the contribution of many.
Friday
Genesis 28:10-17. Jacob had many faults, among them cheating his dad and brother. Jacob is on the run, yet God pursues and blesses Jacob. Jacob will soon reconcile with his family. His 12 sons will begin the 12-Tribes of ancient Israel.
Romans 16:17-20. Paul warns the community at Rome about conflict. He had dealt with huge conflict at Corinth (recall Monday and Tuesday readings). He leaves a nice bit of advice here, “Be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil.”
Saturday
Isaiah 41:1-13. Isaiah references the role of God in calling up forces that topple empires.
Matthew 18:1-5. This is similar to Wednesday’s Matthew reading about the last being first. In today’s reading it is the least who are the greatest. There is a different way of looking at things in the Kingdom of God.
Sunday, September 20, 2020 / 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Jonah 3:10—4:11. We hear the Jonah story and his reluctance to go to Nineveh and his prejudice against Nineveh. The author of the Jonah story uses Nineveh as a sort of prop for the Jonah drama.
Philippians 1:21-30. Paul’s relationship with the folk at Philippi was so strong and healthy. He felt a deep connection to that community and mission. Had he not been called to his itinerant preaching ministry, Paul may have chosen to remain at Philippi.
Matthew 20:1-16. This is another story of last being first and least being greatest. The less-desired workers who arrive at the end of the work day are rewarded as the good workers who arrived at the beginning of the work day.
RESPONSE AFTER THE READING
Word of God / Word of Life
CANTICLE – A HYMN TO WISDOM (PROVERBS 3:13f.)
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding.
Her income is better than silver, her revenue better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels, nothing we desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
PRAY THIS EVERY DAY THIS WEEK
O God, you show perpetual lovingkindness to us, your servants. Grant us your mercy and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen
PRAY THIS IN THE MORNING
I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, thru Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have protected me thru the night form all danger and harm. I ask that you would protect me today from sin and every danger, so that my life and actions may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen
PRAY THIS AT NOON
Blessed Savior, at this hour you hung upon the cross, stretching out your loving arms. Grant that all the peoples of the earth may look to you and be saved. Amen
PRAY THIS IN THE EVENING
We give thanks to you, heavenly Father, thru Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected us today. We ask you to forgive us all our sins, where we have done wrong, and graciously to protect us this night. Into your hands we commend ourselves: our bodies, our souls, and all that is ours. Let your holy angels be with us, so that the wicked foe may have no power over us. Amen
PRAYER FOR ALL IN THE NIGHT TIME
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give hour angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, sooth the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; all for your love’s sake. Amen
PRAY THIS PRAYER TO CURE THE CORONA VIRUS
Holy and blessed Trinity, drive away this virus from our bodies, from our buildings, from our atmosphere. Give us victory over this disease and enable us to serve you now and evermore. Amen
CLOSING
God keep us in light and peace, in health and safety, today and every day. Amen
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