Thursday, March 16, 2023

The Daily Lectionary for Friday, March 17, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Friday, March 17, 2023
Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:22-31; Ephesians 5:1-9
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
 
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
My head anointed with oil
Dominus regit me

1
The LORD is my shepherd; *
  I shall not be in want.
 
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
  and leads me beside still waters.
 
3 He revives my soul *
  and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
 
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I shall fear no evil; *
  for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
 
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those
    who trouble me; *
  you have anointed my head with oil,
    and my cup is running over.
 
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
    of my life, *
  and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
 
Lord Jesus, risen from the dead and reigning forevermore. We praise You and honor You this day for Your great sacrifice in our behalf. You left Your heavenly throne for us, and not only walked through the life we live daily, fighting spiritual foes and temptations common to us, but for the joy set before You died the shameful death of hanging of a cross. We trust You with our hopes and future, knowing as Your first disciples understood, that there is no one other than You to whom we can reasonably and faithfully go for everlasting life. And now we pray together:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
The king confesses his sinful disobedience
 
15:22 But Samuel replied:
    “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
      as much as in obeying the Lord?
   To obey is better than sacrifice,
      and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
      and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
   Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
      he has rejected you as king.”
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”
 
26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”
 
27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
 
30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
 
Now in the Lord you are light
 
5:1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
 
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
 
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)[.]
 
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Friday, March 17, 2023
Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:22-31; Ephesians 5:1-9

The Morning Prayer for Friday, March 17, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, March 17, 2023


To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31–32, NIV


Dear Father in heaven, grant that we may come to you in the Spirit. Through your Spirit gather us and many others on earth around our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Savior of humankind. May our hearts become truly free because you deliver us from all bondage to our own natures and to the world around us. As free people may we be led safely through distress, fear, and want, through need and death. May we become happy children whom Jesus Christ has called to life, children who are not discouraged by the struggle but who fight joyfully for your kingdom until it can be revealed to all the world. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, March 17, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, March 17, 2023


Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
As a shepherd, David understood the loving care sheep required. He also understood that none carried out the duties of protecting, providing for, and leading the flock better than God. With the Lord, you have everything you will ever need. Is He your shepherd? Is Jesus your Savior?

Read all of Psalm Chapter 23

Listen to Psalm Chapter 23

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

The Lenten Prayer for Friday, March 17, 2023

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 21 — Friday of the Third Week of Lent

God of Mercy, I feel my heart overflowing with your tenderness. I sense your loving touch deep within my soul. I ask for your help in my weakness that I might be faithful to your word and I am so grateful that your mercy for my failings is as strong as your unbounded love for me. Amen.