Morning Prayers
November 24-30, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
Sunday November 24,2024
Rest as a Rule of Life
This is a day for rest and renewal of body, mind, and spirit.
Move gently this Sunday as a day to intentionally focus on the sacred gift of life. Each breath, each moment is a gift.
Rest, play, and rejoice!
A 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: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-38
Monday, November 25, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
O God, you are [our] God; [We] seek you;
[our] souls thirst for you; [our] flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So [we] have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Silence
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
[our] lips will praise you.
So [we] will bless you as long as [we] live;
[We] will lift up [our] hands and call on your name.
~Psalm 63:1-4 (NRSV)
Prayers of Gratitude
We give you thanks for neighbors near and far, known and unknown. May we be ever mindful that we are of one core - of one Creator. May we all be reminded that we are called to be grounded in your loving grace and merciful forgiveness. May we walk with dignity and respect for one another, all of creation, and for ourselves as we offer our grateful prayers this day.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
John 18:33-38
Silence
How do we define truth?
Intercessions
We come asking questions, seeking truth in the midst of the many lies, destructive rhetoric, and fear-fueled hatred. We know that life is lived one day, one moment at a time and we truly want to follow in the ways of Christ. We raise our prayers this day for the challenges people face, for the struggles, and in the ways we reach out to one another, Oh Christ, hear our prayers and guide us. Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
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: Monday, November 25, 2024:
Psalm 63; 2 Kings 23:15-25; Revelation 11:1-14; Psalm 76; Daniel 7:19-27; Revelation 11:1-14
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
God—you’re [our] God! [We] can’t get enough of you![We’ve] worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.
So here [we are] in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory.
Silence
In your generous love [we are] really living at last! [Our] lips brim praises like fountains.
[We] bless you every time [we] take a breath; [Our] arms wave like banners of praise to you.
~Psalm 63:1-4 (MSG)
Prayers of Gratitude
We recognize each day is a new beginning. We begin this day by sharing those experiences, big or small, ordinary or extraordinary, that being smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts. We thank you, generous and loving God.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
1 Samuel 17:55-18:5
Silence
What is it about the presence of some people that they are readily identified and chosen to be great leaders?
Intercessions
We come before you to ask for your guidance for healing and hope for others and for ourselves. Great Compassion, hear our prayers.
Sending Forth Prayer
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: Tuesday, November 26, 2024:
Psalm 63; 1 Samuel 17:55-18:5; Revelation 11:15-19; Psalm 76; Ezekiel 29:1-12
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
God! [Our] God! It’s you—[We] search for you! [Our] whole being thirsts for you! [Our bodies] desires you in a dry and tired land, no water anywhere. Yes, [we’ve] seen you in the sanctuary; [We’ve] seen your power and glory.
Silence
[Our] lips praise you because your faithful love is better than life itself!So [we]will bless you as long as [we’re] alive;[We] will lift up [our] hands in your name.
~Psalm 63:1-4 (CEB)
Prayers of Gratitude
Thank you, Loving and Generous God for your unconditional love that shows through in shining moments of our lives. Help us to pay attention and see and proclaim the work of your love in our world, near and far.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
John 16:25-33
Silence
What does peace in a troubled world look like?
Intercessions
Compassion One, we look around and see sorrow, fear, and brokenness in the world. Help us also see the beauty and ways to reach out to be present to others as signs and symbols of your merciful grace and healing love. We raise our spoken and unspoken concerns for today and ask for your guidance.
Sending Forth Prayer
May our lives 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: Wednesday, November 27, 2024:
Psalm 63; 2 Samuel 2:1-7; John 16:25-33; Psalm 76; Ezekiel 30:20-26
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
O True God, You are [our] God, the One whom [we] trust. [We] seek You with every fiber of [our] being.In this dry and weary land with no water in sight, [our souls are] dry and long for You. [Our bodies ache] for You, for Your presence.
[We] have seen You in Your sanctuary and have been awed by Your power and glory.
Silence
Your steadfast love is better than life itself, so [our] lips will give You all [our] praise.
[We] will bless You with every breath of [our lives];[We] will lift up [our] hands in praise to Your name.
~Psalm 63:1-4 (The Voice)
Prayers of Gratitude
This is a day in the United States set aside to give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon us. We come with humble hearts and the painful recognition that what some consider blessings have come a great cost to others and to the very land upon which we feast. May this be a day of “Truth-giving”. May we recognize and respect all of your creation, two-legged, four-legged, winged, finned, flora and fauna, earth, sky, air, water. May we give thanks with hearts broken open to your merciful love for all.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Matthew 6:25-33
Silence
Pause to think about what is most important at this time and place in life.
Intercessions
Lord, we pray forgiveness this day for the many ways we have broken trust in your compassionate love. We pray for the leaders of our countries around the world to lead with wisdom and justice. We pray for all peoples around the world to experience peace and abundance so all may have enough. May no one be hungry for food, shelter, or love.
Sending Forth Prayer
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: Thursday, November 28, 2024: Thanksgiving Day Joel 2:21-27; Ps 126; 1 Tim 2:1-7; Matt 6:25-33
Thursday, November 28, 2024: Psalm 25:1-10; Nehemiah 9:6-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Friday, November 29, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
O God, you are [our] God;[We] will seek you eagerly.[Our hearts thirst] for you,[our bodies long] for youin a land parched and exhausted,where no water can be found.
Silence
[We] used to contemplate you in the sanctuary,seeing your power and glory;
for your grace is better than life.[Our] lips will worship you.
~Psalm 63:1-4 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Prayers of Gratitude
Open our hearts and minds to the wonder of this new day. Open our eyes and ears to the joy and laughter of family, friends and neighbors we don’t yet know. We give you thanks for the promise of each opportunity and possibility to be your presence in the world around us.
We lift our grateful praise this day!
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Silence
What does being a good neighbor look like?
Intercessions
We have not always been good neighbors to those whom we have judged for a multiple of reasons. Help us to see with your eyes, Christ, the things you see – the gifts, strengths, the fears, and brokenness of us all. May we walk in faithful trust that you will move through us to reach out to one another in loving kindness bringing hope and healing. Hear our prayers, guide us, we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
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: Friday, November 29, 2024: Psalm 25:1-10; Nehemiah 9:16-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Neighbor as a Rule of Life
You, God, are [our] God, earnestly [we] seek you;[We] thirst for you, [Our] whole being longs for you,in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
[We] have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Silence
Because your love is better than life, [our] lips will glorify you.[We] will praise you as long as [we] live, and in your name [we] will lift up [our] hands.
~Psalm 63:1-4 (NIV)
Prayers of Gratitude
We seek to be people of the Way of Jesus, walking together to bring justice that is lasting, peace that passes all understanding, and a deep joy grounded in the love of God. In our daily interactions with all we meet, may we bear witness as People of the Way. We lift our prayers of thanksgiving…
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Nehemiah 9:26-31
Silence
When does “them” become “us”, and “us” become “them?”
Intercessions
Lord, we pray that we can break down the walls that divide and destroy. Help us to see each person, as well as ourselves, with eyes of loving-kindness and compassionate grace. We pray for our family, friends, and neighbors in need.
Sending Forth Prayer
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: Saturday, November 30, 2024: Psalm 25:1-10; Nehemiah 9:26-31; Luke 21:20-24
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