October 6-12, 2024
Focus: Table as a Rule of Life
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Rest as a Rule of Life
This is a day for rest and renewal of body, mind, and spirit.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Lectionary Readings for the Week: Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16
Monday, October 7
Table as a Rule of Life
1-3 Open your ears, God, to my prayer; don’t pretend you don’t hear me knocking.Come close and whisper your answer. I really need you.I shudder at the mean voice, quail before the evil eye,As they pile on the guilt, stockpile angry slander.
Psalm 55:1-3 The Message
Silence
As the Lord’s ears open, let us open our ears to hear the whispers of the divine that resonate from heaven to earth.
Prayers of Gratitude
The Lord’s table is open to all. We take a seat with neighbors, friends, and enemies with a feast of hope, love, rest, and nourishment, and light set before us. We thank you Lord for your amazing grace, the abundance set out before us and poured over us.
Give thanks to the Lord.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 8:1-22
Reflect on the ancient voices at the Lord’s table who teach us.
Intercessions
We lift up those burdened by sorrow and confusion as the psalmist cried out. Hear their prayers and deliver them from distress. When they feel betrayed or surrounded by enemies, be their refuge and strength.
For those suffering, seeking answers in their pain, grant them Your wisdom and mercy. Restore their hope and remind them of Your justice and unfailing love,
even amid accusations or hardship.
Sending Forth Prayer
Go now with the assurance that God is your refuge in times of trouble. When burdens feel heavy, cast them upon the One who sustains you. Trust in God’s wisdom, mercy, and unchanging love, and may peace follow you as you journey forward.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 55:1-15; Job 8:1-22; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Tuesday, October 8
Table as a Rule of Life
My insides are turned inside out; specters of death have me down.I shake with fear, I shudder from head to foot.“Who will give me wings,” I ask— “wings like a dove?”Get me out of here on dove wings; I want some peace and quiet.I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods.I’m desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather.
Psalm 55:4-8 The Message
Silence
The chaotic rage of turbulent storms is only calmed by trust in the One who says not to be afraid. Fly, fly away to the fields of plenty where rest is salvation.
Prayers of Gratitude
Lord, You are our shelter, our calm, and rest in times of trouble. You lead us to pastures green and water still as if we were in the countryside with a canopy of trees to separate us from the chaos around us. Lord, You are our refuge.
Give thanks to the One who listens and gives us peace.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 11:1-20
Reflection
The drafters’ table is full of precisely measured lines and angles artistically placed, bringing an image to life from imagination. Reflect on how our drafting of God limits the God who is a mystery until revealed.
Intercessions
God of grace and wisdom, for those burdened by suffering, like Job, bring strength and comfort. Where there is misunderstanding or hurt, bring healing.
Hear the cries of the oppressed and betrayed, delivering them from confusion and brokenness. Help all to cast their burdens on You, trusting in Your sustaining love.
For those struggling with guilt or sorrow, grant forgiveness and peace. Be our refuge in every storm, calming the turmoil within and around us.
Sending Forth Prayer
As you go, may you trust in God’s deep wisdom and unshakable love. In times of struggle, cast your burdens upon Him, knowing He will sustain you. Walk in peace, grounded in the quiet assurance that His grace surrounds and guides you always.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 55:1-15; Job 11:1-20; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
Wednesday, October 9
Table as a Rule of Life
Come down hard, Lord—slit their tongues. I’m appalled how they’ve split the cityInto rival gangs prowling the alleysDay and night spoiling for a fight, trash piled in the streets,Even shopkeepers gouging and cheating in broad daylight.
Psalm 55:9-11 The Message
Silence
God of justice and oneness, bring the wicked to your table of grace, overturning the divisiveness of evildoers for unity as we dance with You, the three-in-one.
Prayers of Gratitude
Lord of the Table, you set places for us and our enemies to be present before You. From Your table, we both receive divine delicacies that feed us with grace, wisdom, and love. Your way is better than ours. Your embrace is wider than we can imagine. Thank you for bringing us friends and enemies together as neighbors.
Give thanks for neighbors and God’s reconciling work.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 15:1-35
Reflect on the eternal emptiness of evil.
Intercessions
Lord, we come with hearts weighed down,
By pain, by doubt, by sorrows found.
When life feels heavy, struggles near,
Grant them peace, erase their fear.
Be their refuge, strong and true,
A shelter they can run to You.
In words that wound, in suffering's grip,
Give healing hands, a steady ship.
Where fear and darkness cloud the way,
Shine Your love to light the day.
In every trial, through every tear,
Hold them close, and draw them near.
Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
Step into the unknown, releasing every burden into the hands of the Divine. In the quiet spaces, sense the deep presence of the Sacred, guiding you with unseen strength. Trust that beneath every trial, grace flows, carrying you onward with peace and purpose.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 55:1-15; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 5:27-36
Thursday, October 10
Table as a Rule of Life
God, God . . . my God! Why did you dump me miles from nowhere?Doubled up with pain, I call to God all the day long. No answer. Nothing.I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all, leaning back on the cushions of Israel’s praise?We know you were there for our parents: they cried for your help and you gave it; they trusted and lived a good life.
Psalm 22:1-5 The Message
Silence
God is faithful. God came to us. God is with us. We are not alone.
We are not forsaken. We are loved.
Prayers of Gratitude
Sight giver, You open our eyes to see through the shadows that attempt to hide You. Sound maker, You open our ears to hear Your voice - quiet whispers and thunderous applause. Empowering Spirit, You vibrate the reeds of our bodies to give praise through word and song. We are not forsaken, for You, Lord, are with us, always.
Give thanks for the visible God who speaks and listens.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 17:1-16
Empty seats need not say we are alone. Reflect on the feeling of forsakenness as we seek the presence of God.
Intercessions
Holy God, we lift up those who feel abandoned, lost in their pain, and cry like psalmist. In moments of despair and weariness, when hope seems far, draw near to them. Remind them they are not forsaken, even in silence.
For those whose spirits are crushed and whose days feel heavy, breathe life into their weary hearts. Hold them in their suffering, and let Your presence be their strength when all else fades.
In the quiet, we trust in Your love that never lets go.
Sending Forth Prayer
Even in the darkest moments, know that God’s light is with you, ready to break through. When hope feels far, trust that divine love is always near, lifting you up. Go with confidence, knowing you are held, and new hope is on the horizon.
Amen.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 22:1-15; Job 17:1-16; Hebrews 3:7-19
Friday, October 11
Table as a Rule of Life
And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm, something to step on, to squash.Everyone pokes fun at me; they make faces at me, they shake their heads:“Let’s see how God handles this one; since God likes him so much, let him help him!”
And to think you were midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother’s breasts!When I left the womb you cradled me; since the moment of birth you’ve been my God.Then you moved far away and trouble moved in next door.I need a neighbor.
Psalm 22:6-11 The Message
Silence
God’s cradling care still surrounds us. Although our neighbors may be different, through friendship, we find God at work in the neighborhood.
Prayers of Gratitude
God, you are the birther of all creation, and Your midwifery is still bringing forth Your creative spirit as we meet the neighbors and break bread together at the Table.
God, who makes all things new, we give You thanks.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 18:1-21
Job stuck to his innocence, yet his friends challenged him in every way. Reflect on how we give witness to our faith amid the challenges of those who question us.
Intercessions
God of compassion, we bring those who feel abandoned and distant from Your presence. In their pain and despair, may they sense Your nearness,
even when words fail them.
For those facing fear, confusion, or harsh judgment, wrap them in Your peace. When darkness overshadows them, remind them that You are their light. Let Your love break through the weight of their suffering, renewing their strength.
Hold them in the depth of their struggles, and may Your grace be their anchor.
Sending Forth Prayer
When darkness looms and shadows fall,
Trust the light beyond it all.
In every trial, through every night,
Hope is rising, shining bright.
Let fear dissolve, let doubt release,
Step forward now, in perfect peace.
God’s love will guide, steady and true,
A path of joy awaits for you.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 22:1-15; Job 18:1-21; Hebrews 4:1-11
Saturday, October 12
Table as a Rule of Life
Herds of bulls come at me, the raging bulls stampede,Horns lowered, nostrils flaring, like a herd of buffalo on the move.
I’m a bucket kicked over and spilled, every joint in my body has been pulled apart.My heart is a blob of melted wax in my gut.I’m dry as a bone, my tongue black and swollen.They have laid me out for burial in the dirt.
Psalm 22:12-15
Silence
Broken, we fall. Abandoned, we waste away. God blows the Spirit of life upon us to reconnect the sinews, mend the heart, and give presence to our being.
Prayers of Gratitude
God of wonders, You are the Great Physician, skillfully weaving the pieces of our brokenness into a new creation. The change is a cosmic metamorphosis from old to new, from brokenness to wholeness, from mess to masterpiece. Thank you for perfecting us into a restored image of You full of love and gratitude.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Job 20:1-29
The sweet coating of evil gives way to a bitter core that leaves a sour stomach and icky aftertaste. God will sort the wicked. Reflect on what is truly being served at the Table. What is good? What is evil? What is better? What is bitter?
Intercessions
Holy God, we lift up those weighed down by the heaviness of life—fear, loss, and uncertainty clouding their way. When the path seems dark and hope feels far off, surround them with Your peace and stillness.
In moments of bitterness or despair, gently draw them back into the truth of Your love. Let them feel the quiet assurance that Your grace is always enough,
steady and unchanging.
Hold them close, calm their restless spirits, and renew their strength
for whatever lies ahead.
Sending Forth Prayer
When life feels fleeting, days uncertain,
Beyond the veil, there’s a greater curtain.
Trust the stillness, trust the flow,
In quiet spaces, wisdom grows.
Release your fears, let worries cease,
Walk with courage, grounded in peace.
The journey is hard, but grace will stay,
Guiding your steps along the way.
Amen.
Daily Prayer for a Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
To God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed.
Amen
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 22:1-15; Job 20:1-29; Matthew 15:1-9
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