St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Saturday – for the Green Team and for all Creation, for our ministries to Seniors, and for all on our Parish prayer list.

From Evening Prayer we hear the opening of the Phos Hilaron:

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

And the Psalm appointed is the beautiful Psalm 104 which celebrates all of creation. As you enjoy some 4th of July fireworks, remember these words which speak of the beauty of what God has made:

Bless the LORD, O my soul;*

O LORD my God, how excellent is your greatness!

you are clothed with majesty and splendor.

² You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak*

and spread out the heavens like a curtain.

³ You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;*

you make the clouds your chariot;

you ride on the wings of the wind.

⁴ You make the winds your messengers*

and flames of fire your servants.

Prayers today for our country, our leaders, for peace and unity.

The Collect for Independence Day from the Book of Common Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – 

Friday – Daughters of the King, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Marthas, worship volunteers (acolytes, ushers and greeters, chalice bearers) and all over volunteer groups who work so tirelessly and joyfully for the Kingdom of God and the Body of Christ at St. Paul’s.

(Click Prayer Instructions for ways to say the Daily Offices online)

Today we read the beginning of the 8th chapter of Acts, the conversion of St. Paul. What a great lesson for us. He was an intense and productive persecutor of the early Christians, his zeal as one schooled in the Jewish faith led him to not tolerate any so called Messiahs….until the only Messiah struck him blind on the road to Damascus. From there he was led to a believer who took care of him, and eventually Saul-who-Jesus-renamed-Paul became a champion for Christ and the greatest missionary ever.

The lesson – keep praying for those who don’t know Christ, even our enemies, even those who persecute us. To quote the Presiding Bishop Elect, Michael Curry, in his sermon today – God is not done with them yet!

Nor is God done with you.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Thursday – The people of Bondeau, Haiti, especially Pere Phanord, the school teachers and medical clinic volunteers, for our Cursillo community.

From the benediction provided at the close of Evening Prayer tonight on the Mission St. Clare site:

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

Infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. I have been wondering about asking, about imagining. As my time as Interim Rector winds down and the search for “what’s next” moves into high gear, I am listening for God’s voice, God’s direction. And what I keep hearing is – God’s power, working in us, can do infintely more.

So I imagine. And I ask. Glory to God. Thanksgiving to God whose power…..

Amen

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Wednesday – Paul’s Place after school program and the St. Paul’s Day School

(click on prayer instructions to access online ways to pray the Daily Office of your choice)

Our psalm appointed for today is a portion of Psalm 119. In verse 164 the psalmist says: “7 times a day I praise you”. We expect those in religious orders, especially monks and nuns, to do this – stop and pray 7 times a day. But nothing prevents us from doing the same, whether using a structured daily office or just stopping at specific hours to say a prayer. Perhaps you can use one of your gadgets to simply remind you at specific times to take a breath, take a break, and praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

The Mission St. Clare edition of Morning Prayer includes this prayer for our nation. We need it. Pray for those whose churches are being burned and pray for healing of our nation.

For our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Tuesday – Seekers and other Young Adults, those in our community who are unchurched, our community and those in need, especially Family Promise and CROS ministries

Today at General Convention we are discussing resolutons concerning alcohol and other drug abuse. They are looking at ways the church can be more helpful and involved in recovery for those in need, and also to revisit the church’s policy on alcohol use. While I won’t be discussing these excellent resolutions on the prayer blog, it did lead me to focus my prayers today on all those who struggle with addiction, for their families and friends, and thanksgiving for 12 step programs and professionals involved in recovery work.

For all of us, Psalm 121 from today’s lessons, reminds us: “I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”