Morning And Evening Prayers

Based on the Beatitudes

From the Misseo Dei Breviary Edited By Mark van Steenwyck.

Week 1: Sunday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:3

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

James 2:5

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?

Jeremiah 22:16

“He upheld the cause of the poor and needy. So things went well for Judah.” The Lord says, “That is a good example of what it means to know me.”

Pray for the poor.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, grant us humility of spirit. Give us the faith to love the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed as you do, and to be of the same spirit as “the least of these.” Lord, replace all pride in our lives with true humility. Teach us to walk today, humbly trusting in you as we share your love in word and deed.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Sunday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

Psalm 42

For the music director; a well-written song by the Korahites.

As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God!

I thirst for God, for the living God.
I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?”

I cannot eat,
I weep day and night;
all day long they say to me,
“Where is your God?”

I will remember and weep!
For I was once walking along with the great throng
to the temple of God,
shouting and giving thanks
along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival.

Why are you depressed,O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks
to my God for his saving intervention.

I am depressed,
so I will pray to you while I am trapped
here in the region of the upper Jordan,
from Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

One deep stream calls out to another
at the sound of your waterfalls;
all your billows and waves overwhelm me.

By day the Lord decrees his loyal love,
and by night he gives me a song,
a prayer to the living God.

I will pray to God, my high ridge:
“Why do you ignore me?
Why must I walk around mourning
because my enemies oppress me?”

My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone,
as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Why are you depressed,O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks
to my God for his saving intervention.

Matthew 5:4

 

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Revelations 21:3-5a

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! The residence of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.

And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!”

Ask God to comfort those who mourn; pray especially for those in your neighborhood who mourn.  

 

 

The Jesus Manifesto           

With Jesus, we proclaim:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and the regaining of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Father, anoint us with your Spirit. As you sent your Son, your Son has sent us; may we embody the presence of your Son in the world, and in our neighborhood. Empower us to live and proclaim your good news in our neighborhood, and in the world.

Closing Prayer                                                                    

Lord, bring comfort to those who mourn in our neighborhood. Help us to show them love, help us to comfort them.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Monday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Colossians 3:12-15

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy,kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to havea complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtuesaddlove, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful.

Take this time to forgive those who have wronged you, and reflect upon those whom you have wronged.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, may we be built up in our most holy faith by your Holy Spirit. Keep us in your love as we wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring us eternal life.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Monday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Psalm 140

For the music director; a psalm of David.

 

O Lord, rescue me from wicked men!

Protect me from violent men,

who plan ways to harm me.

 

All day long they stir up conflict.

Their tongues wound like a serpent;

a viper’svenom is behindtheir lips. (Selah)

 

O Lord, shelter me from the power of the wicked!

Protect me from violent men,

who plan to knock me over.

 

Proud men hide a snare for me;

evil menspread a net by the path;

they set traps for me. (Selah)

 

I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”

O Lord, pay attention to my plea for mercy!

O sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,

you shield my head in the day of battle.

 

O Lord, do not let the wicked have their way!

Do not allow theirplan to succeed when they attack! (Selah)

 

As for the heads of those who surround me—

may the harm done by their lips overwhelm them!

May he rain down fiery coals upon them!

May he throw them into the fire!

From bottomless pits they will not escape.

 

A slandererwill not endure on the earth;

calamity will hunt down a violent man and strike him down. 

 

I know that the Lord defends the cause of the oppressed

and vindicates the poor.

 

Certainly the godly will give thanks to your name;

the morally upright will live in your presence.

 

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Reflect upon the injustices of this world. Reflect upon the un-righteousness in your heart. Confess them to the Lord and ask for his justice to prevail.

 

Mary’s Song

My soul exalts the Lord,
and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior,

because he has looked upon
the humble state of his servant.
For from now on all generations will call me blessed,

because He-Who-is-Mighty has done great things for me,
holy is his name.

He is merciful to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.

He has demonstrated power with his arm;
he has scattered those whose pride wells up from the sheer arrogance of their hearts.

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up those of lowly position;

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy,

as he promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Closing Prayer

Lord, may we never be satisfied with the justice and righteousness of this world. Stir us from our apathy as we cry for your justice.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Tuesday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved. And he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness towardus in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so that we might walk in them.

Confess your sins to the Lord, calling upon him for his mercy. Confess your sins to one another, and if any have sinned against you, extend mercy to them.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Have mercy upon us, O God of peace. Empower us to do your will. Do in us what is pleasing to you, through Jesus Christ. And help us to show mercy, as we have been shown mercy.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Tuesday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Lord, who may be a guest in your home?

Who may live on your holy hill?

 

Whoever lives a blameless life,

does what is right,

and speaks honestly.

 

He does not slander,

or do harm to others,

or insult his neighbor. 

 

He despises a reprobate,

but honors the Lord’s loyal followers.

 

He makes firm commitments and does not renege on his promise. 

He does not charge interest when he lends his money.

 

He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent.

 

The one who lives like this will never be upended.

 

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

1 Peter 1:15-22

But like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”

And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your sojourn in reverence. You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed—not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

1 Peter 2:9-10

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Consider what it means to live as a holy priesthood in an unholy society. Pray for holiness and purity and a deepened reverence for our Holy God.

Zechariah’s Song

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.

For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke through the mouth
of his holy prophets from long ago,

that we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of all who hate us.

He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors,
and to remember his holy covenant—

the oath that he swore to our father Abraham.

This oath grants that we,
being rescued from the hand of our enemies,
may serve him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before him for as long as we live.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High.
For you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.

Because of our God’s tender mercy
the morning star will visit us from on high

to give light to those who sin in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Closing Prayer

Lord, may our love overflow—for one another, and for our neighbors. Strengthen our hearts so that we will be blameless and holy when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Week 1: Wednesday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

John 20:19-23

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of where they were because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”

After a time of reflection, pray that you may be an agent of God’s peace. Ask God to show you the places where he is calling you to bring his peace. Ask God to show you how you may bring his peace to your neighborhood.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,

grant that we may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Week 1: Wednesday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He takes me to lush pastures;
he leads me to refreshing water.

He restores my strength.
He leads me down the right paths
for the sake of his reputation.

Even when I must walk
through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.

You prepare a feast before me
in plain sight of my enemies.
You refresh my head with oil;
my cup is completely full.

Surely your goodness and faithfulness
will pursue me all my days,
and I will live in the Lord’s house
for the rest of my life.

Matthew 5:10-12

 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

 

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.

 

Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.

Matthew 10:16-20

I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in the synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles.

Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time. For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Pray for opportunities to witness as a sheep among wolves.

Simeon’s Song

Now, according to your word, Sovereign Lord,
permit your servant to depart in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:

a light, for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.

Closing Prayer

We ask for your grace and peace. You are the One who is, and who was, and who is to come. We pray that you will empower us to be your faithful witness, like your Son Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Thursday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:13-15

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people.

You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it give light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Ephesians 5:8-16

For you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light—for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth—trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them! For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”

Therefore be very careful how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ask the Lord how you can live wisely today—making the most of every opportunity to let your light shine before others.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Father, help us to be a light in our neighborhood. We ask that you would transform the darkness there into light. We ask that we might share in your ministry of transformation and reconciliation there.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Week 1: Thursday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

Psalm 1

How blessed is the one who does not walk
in the advice of the wicked,
or stand in the pathway with sinners,
or sit in the assembly of scoffers!

Instead, he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands;
he meditates on his commands day and night.

He is like a tree planted by flowing streams;
it yields its fruit at the proper time,
and its leaves never fall off.
He succeeds in everything he attempts.

Not so with the wicked!
Instead, they are like wind-driven chaff.

For this reason, the wicked cannot withstand judgment,
nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly.

Certainly the Lord guards the way of the godly,
but the way of the wicked ends in destruction.

Matthew 5:20

 

For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

Galatians 2:19-21

 

For through the law I died to the law so that I may live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!

 

Meditate upon the faithful love of Christ, and the grace of God. Confess your sins.

 

Paul’s Song

You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had:

Who though he existed in the form of God
did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,

but emptied himself
by taking on the form of a slave,
by looking like other men,
and by sharing in human nature.

He humbled himself,
by becoming obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross!

As a result God exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.

Closing Prayer

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit to help us to love and minister like your Son. We live because of the faithfulness of your Son. May our righteousness surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees as Christ lives in us.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Week 1: Friday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:21-24

You have heard that it was said to an older generation, “Do not murder,” and “whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.” But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says “Fool” will be sent to fiery hell.

So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift.

John 15:9-17

Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you. No on has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what is master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go an bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you—to love one another.

Meditate on the love of Christ. Take this time to forgive those who have sinned against you. Release your anger to God as you commit yourself to loving your brothers and sisters.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help us to love one another. Live in us and make your love complete in us.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 1: Friday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

Psalm 51:1-12

For the music director; a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted him after David’s affair with Bathsheba 

Have mercy on me,
O God, because of your loyal love!
Because of your great compassion,
wipe away my rebellious acts!
Wash away my wrongdoing!
Cleanse me of my sin!

For I am aware of my rebellious acts;
I am forever conscious of my sin.

Against you—you above all—I have sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.

So you are just when you confront me;
you are right when you condemn me.

Look, I was guilty of sin from birth,
a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.

Look, you desire integrity in the inner man;
you want me to possess wisdom.

Sprinkle me with water and I will be pure;
wash me and I will be whiter than snow. 

Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven!
May the bones you crushed rejoice!

Hide your face from my sins!
Wipe away all my guilt!

Create for me a pure heart, O God!
Renew a resolute spirit within me!

Do not reject me!
Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me!

Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance!
Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!

Matthew 5:27-30

You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

 

Colossians 3:5-11

So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

Confess your sins to the Lord.

 

The Song Around the Throne

You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered,
and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

You have appointed them as a kingdom
and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!

To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and dominion
forever and ever!

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, forgive our sins; clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Above all, help us to love.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Week 1: Saturday Morning

 

In the morning, before you begin the day, stand with reverence before the All-Seeing God and say:

 

(+) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Having invoked the Holy Trinity, keep silence for a little while, so that your thoughts and feelings may be freed from worldly cares. Then recite the following prayers without haste, and with your whole heart.

 

The Tax Collector’s Prayer

 

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

 

Opening Prayer

Lord, open our lips and our mouths will proclaim your praise. You are good to those who wait for you, to all who seek you.

Matthew 5:38-42

 

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give him your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.

 

1 Peter 2:13-17

 

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors as those sent by him to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Live as free people, not using your freedom as a pretext for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.

 

Ephesians 6:11-12

 

Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

 

Pray for the courage to live as a peacemaker and reconciler. Pray in resistance to the principalities and the powers. Pray that you may live humble lives, submitting to those in power for the Lord’s sake.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

may your kingdom come,
may your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Father, may we live as bold citizens of the Kingdom. We pledge our allegiance to you. You are the King! Babylon has fallen! Lord, as we follow you, help us to wage war against our enemy. Father, we know that our enemy is not flesh and blood; let us wage war as you do. Father, you overcome evil with good. Help us to overcome evil with good. You are the Peacemaker. Make us peacemakers. Help us to turn the other cheek. Help us to resist evil with love.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Week 1: Saturday Evening

 

Call to Praise

 

After a time of reflective silence, proclaim:

 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

Psalm 36

For the music director; written by the Lord’s servant, David; an oracle

An evil man is rebellious to the core. 
He does not fear God,
for he is too proud
to recognize and give up his sin.

The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful;
he does not care about doing what is wise and right.
He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed;
he is committed to a sinful lifestyle;
he does not reject what is evil.

O Lord, your loyal love reaches to the sky;
your faithfulness to the clouds. 
Your justice is like the highest mountains,
your fairness like the deepest sea;
you preserve mankind and the animal kingdom. 

How precious is your loyal love, O God!
The human race finds shelter under your wings.
They are filled with food from your house,
and you allow them to drink from the river of your delicacies.
For you are the one who gives and sustains life.

Extendyour loyal love to your faithful followers,
and vindicate the morally upright!
Do not let arrogant men overtake me,
or let evil men make me homeless!

I can see the evildoers! They have fallen!
They have been knocked down and are unable to get up!

Matthew 5:43-48

 

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor” and “hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

Consider your enemies. Pray for them. Pray for those who persecute you. Pray for the people of God around the world. Pray for those who resist the Gospel, especially those in your neighborhood.

 

The Gloria

 

Glory to God in the Highest

And peace to His people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father;

We worship you, we give you thanks,

We praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Son of the Father.

Lord God, Lamb of God

You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;

You are seated at the right hand of the Father,
Receive our prayer.

For You alone are the Holy One,

You alone are the Lord,

You alone are the Most High Jesus Christ,

With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help us to love our enemies in both word and deed. Help us to embody your loving, forgiving presence in our neighborhood—especially among those who resist the Gospel—especially to those who hate your name.

 

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.