Begin in silence.
Light a candle.
Pray aloud:
O Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the son+ and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
Grant us O God, to be mindful now of your presence, that what we think and say, and all we do, may learn to arrange itself as if before your face. Amen.
or
Healing, sovereign God, overmatch our resistant ears with your transforming speech. Penetrate our jadedness and fatigue. Touch our yearnings by your words. Through your out-loudness, draw us closer to you. We are ready to listen. Amen.
Pray:
Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Silence.
Read: Matthew 5:1-12.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down,
his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people
revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people
revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you
falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Silence.
Romans 12:9-18
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope,
be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another;
do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be
wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil,
but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible,
so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope,
be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another;
do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be
wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil,
but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible,
so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Pray.
We bring before you O Lord, the troubles and perils of peoples and nations, the sighing of prisoners and captives, the sorrows of the bereaved, the necessities of strangers, the helplessness of the weak, the despondency of the weary, the failing powers of the aged. O Lord, draw near to each; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen .
Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed by 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.
