Said or sung all together except for the sentences marked ‘Call’ which are for the Leader only.
+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: With my whole heart I want to praise You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
Response: Who could stand? who could stand?
and in His word do I hope.
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.
Today’s Scripture Reading
23 October
Psalm 34:1–2 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
Proverbs 6:6–11 Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways, and be wise. Without having any chief or officer or ruler, it prepares its food in summer, and gathers its sustenance in harvest. How long will you lie there, O lazybones? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior.
Luke 18:1–8 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’
These Scripture Readings relate to the Finan Readings (Parting and Planting) in Celtic Daily Prayer, Book 1
Today’s Meditation
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You
does in fact please You.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
And I know that if I do this,
You will lead me by the right road
although I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust You always,
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death,
I will not fear, for You are ever with me,
and will never leave me
to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton
Prayers for others
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God,
to gaze on Your holy place.
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
of the Lord in the land of the living.
O wait for the Lord!
Have courage and wait,
wait for the Lord.
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.
See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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