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

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

Philippians chapter 1 includes this from today’s readings:

21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23I am hard pressed between the two:my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the Christ

The holier-than-thou me wants to send this to all our elected officials who claim to be followers of Jesus but whose policies reflect quite the opposite.

And then I walk by a mirror…..

I pray to live a life in a manner worthy of Christ. In fact, that’s a great prayer to start and end each day with. With God’s help, of course….

St. Paul’s Cycle of Prayer – Monday – Children, youth, and family ministries of St. Paul’s and those who teach and work with our youth. Our music program and choirs.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

Happy Labor Day everyone. I hope you have some extra “sabbath” time today. If you are off today, enjoy and also take a moment to give thanks. Here is the Collect for Labor Day from the BCP:

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; 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 – Saturday – for the Green Team and for all Creation, for our ministries to Seniors, and for all on our Parish prayer list.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

I like the Collect for Saturdays in the Book of Common Prayer.  A helpful reminder of the most broken commandment.

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all you works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Don’t miss this part: “sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures”. Sanctified, made special, made holy. In our ever increasingly busy lives, we need sabbath rest. Putting away all earthly anxieties – a tough task.

But….it is a commandment…..

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.

(click Prayer Instructions for links to Morning or Evening Prayer for today)

From Psalm 37:

⁴Take delight in the LORD, *
and he shall give you your heart’s desire.

⁵Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, *
and he will bring it to pass.

I used that text in giving the Baccalaureate address for my oldest daughter’s graduating class at her high school. Hard to believe it was 12 years ago! While I am sure (if they were listening) those in the audience liked the “God will give you your heart’s desire” part, what I tried to zero in on was the “Take delight in the Lord” phrase which precedes it. It looks to me like a cause and effect.

How do we take delight in the Lord? What do you think? I think once we figure that part out, then our heart’s desire might shift, shift to something the Lord would love to give us. And sorry Creflo Dollar and other Prosperity Gospel preachers, it has nothing to do with material things.

Today I am praying about how to delight in the Lord, more and more each day.