Daily Prayers during Thy Kingdom Come. Written by Jacque Filbey parishioner at All Angels Church

Transcription

1 Daily Prayers during Thy Kingdom Come Written by Jacque Filbey parishioner at All Angels Church Eastertide 2018

2 Introduction In response to the Archbishop s call, you are invited to join your heart with the hearts of believers all over the world to pray: Thy kingdom come, and Come Holy Spirit. For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. Before he departed, he commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for God s promised gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit s coming would empower them to become witnesses to the ends of the earth. For the next nine days we, like the disciples, are going to wait and pray. Our purpose is to align our hearts with the heart of the Father and with his desire that peoples everywhere would awaken to his love and be brought into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom there is redemption, healing, and new life. The daily scriptures and meditations in the booklet are offered as a suggestion for structuring your devotions during this time. For each day a scripture and meditation are offered as prompts for morning prayer: Thy Kingdom Come. In the evening, Come Holy Spirit, is suggested as a prayer of quiet reflection on your day. Practice taking a few minutes to be quiet at the beginning of each devotion, clearing your mind and heart of distractions and offering your time to God. Most important is your decision to bring body and soul to God. Whether you choose to use the words of this booklet or practice silence as your prayer of waiting, the goal is the same: an increase in our desire to see the Kingdom of God in our lives and in the lives of those around us in our homes, our schools, where we work, and where we live. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God s presence with us, and fills us with God s love, grace, and power to take the gospel into the world.

3 For Friday, May 11 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few moments to be quiet, and offer yourself to God for this morning devotion. Hebrews 3:1-2 and 4:14-16 read the scripture slowly Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him... Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Reflection The writer of Hebrews tells us to fix our thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest we confess. Jesus was sent from Heaven as the Word and Testimony of God s Love for us. Through his death and resurrection he redeems us. By his ascension, Jesus the High Priest has returned to heaven. He has brought us with him as restored children to the Father. Heaven is open and accessible to us at all times, everywhere, and in all circumstances. We have a standing invitation to approach the throne of grace to find mercy and help in all that we need. Heaven is not just an after-death destination, but a now reality. It is not far away, but is as near as the sanctuary of our own hearts. Our confidence and hope in this reality become the very anchor of our soul, keeping us firm and secure in the faith. (Heb. 6:17-20) For prayer Confess the Lord Jesus as the Apostle of God s love to you and to the whole world. Thank him for coming. Thank him for his love and salvation. Confess the Lord Jesus as your High Priest and the representative of all mankind before the Father. Thank him for restoring you to the Father. 3

4 When you pray Thy kingdom come and Come Holy Spirit, imagine that the heavenly sanctuary now resides within your own person. Imagine praying from within this sanctuary. Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. evening Position yourself comfortably, take some deep breaths, and quiet yourself before the Lord. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and illumine your reflections as you replay the day in your mind. Where were you mindful that God was with you today? Give thanks for those moments as evidence and gifts of his kingdom within you. Where are you conscious of words or actions or responses that don t seem consistent with being a child of God? Ask for forgiveness and cleansing. Entrust the day to God and ask for rest for the day to come. Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 4

5 For Saturday, May 12 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few moments to be quiet and offer yourself to God for this morning devotion. I Peter 2: 9-12 read the scripture slowly But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honourable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. Reflection Inevitably, in thinking about the Kingdom of God, we have to consider our citizenship in that Kingdom and where our allegiance lies. Jesus testimony before Pilate was that he was, in fact, a king and that his kingship was the reason for his coming into the world (John 18:33-37). His claim to be a king made him an enemy of the world he came to save, and he was crucified King of the Jews. On the night before he died, Jesus prayed for his disciples. He was returning to the Father, but they remained in the world. We too, are in the world and King Jesus has a claim on our lives: that he has redeemed us for himself and that we are first and foremost beloved members of his family and citizens of his wondrous kingdom. We wrestle with our place in the world and how to live in it faithfully, courageously, hopefully, joyfully, thankfully, and lovingly as servants of Christ. We are citizens of one kingdom but resident aliens of another. Sort of a tough spot. 5

6 For prayer Pray thy kingdom come into the day s circumstances that are before you. Ask the Holy Spirit to kindle within you a devotion to Christ. Claim him as your king. Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. evening Position yourself quietly. Take some deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on your day. Where were you mindful of God s presence with you in your relationships and activities? Give thanks for these moments. Where were you conscious that devotion to Christ and his kingdom might put you at odds with the values and agendas of the places you spend time or the company you that you keep? Ask for grace to be a true witness of God s love and the hope that is within you. Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 6

7 For Sunday, May 13 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few minutes to be quiet, and offer yourself to God for this mornings devotion and today s worship service. John 17: read the scripture slowly I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. Reflection This is Jesus heartfelt prayer for those of us who have come to believe in him through the testimony of the first disciples and the witness of saints and believers down through the ages. He speaks of our union with him and with each other as proof to the world of God s great love expressed through the gift of his Son. Many of us have given up on the idea of Christian unity in the world and have sought refuge in the congregation of those who believe and worship the way we do and make us feel comfortable and accepted. But at the conclusion of his prayer Jesus promises to keep revealing the Father to us so that we can enter into the loving fellowship of the Trinity, even as God enters our fellowship. 7

8 For prayer Pray thy kingdom come for Christ s church and her unity and wholeness so that together we may bear witness to God s great love manifest in his Son. Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. evening Position yourself comfortably and get quiet. Take some deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on the day. Where were you aware of God s presence with you today in worship? Give thanks for these blessings of your union with Christ and your joy in the fellowship of his people. Where did He seem absent in your day? Where did little disagreements, arguments, and conflicts with others hinder your ability to worship freely? Confess these difficulties and your part in them to the Lord. Ask for forgiveness and grace to come to a place of understanding in those relationships. O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 8

9 For Monday, May 14 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few minutes to be quiet, and then offer yourself to God for this morning s devotions and prayers. Matthew 6:25-34 read the scripture slowly Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today s trouble is enough for today. Reflection Jesus frequently tells his disciples not to worry. We may think that the big enemy of the advancement of God s kingdom is the devil and his dark works. And maybe he is. But some of his tools seem very familiar like the worry and distraction that fills our minds most of our waking hours. For people who don t have enough food or clothing, not worrying might be a real challenge of faith. For those of us who do have full cupboards and closets, consider how your daily preoccupations (with food or drink, appearance and exercise) take up a lot of time and space. The Father knows what we need. So what does it mean to seek his Kingdom first? How can we cultivate in the daily habits of life a way of living healthfully while also practicing generosity and hospitality? 9

10 For prayer Pray thy kingdom come into your daily routines of food shopping and meal preparations, of workouts, and getting dressed. Where could your choice to be generous and hospitable and thoughtful give expression to God s goodness to others? Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. evening Position yourself comfortably and get quiet. Take some deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on the day. Where were you aware of God s care for you? Give thanks. Where were you aware of being distracted and worried? Can you make prayers of those worries and offer them to the Lord? Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 10

11 For Tuesday, May 15 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few minutes to be quiet, and then offer yourself to God for this morning s devotion and prayer. Romans 8:26-28 read the scripture slowly Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Reflection Few of us would argue that life is messy, full of hard choices, frustrations, disappointments, seasons of doubt, insecurity, difficulty and loss. In these circumstances, it is sometimes difficult to know how to pray. God s kingdom doesn t seem to be present or evident. And yet, St. Paul teaches us that Jesus himself intercedes for us, and at his request the Father has sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Comforter, and Counselor always. For prayer Bring to the Lord those circumstances and challenges that have tested the limits of your faith, your perseverance, and your ability to trust God. Ask for the Holy Spirit s help to know how to pray. Ask for God s solace and comfort for those that are overwhelmed with their difficulty and sorrow. Pray for the coming of God s kingdom into those circumstances and the lives of those in need. Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 11

12 evening Position yourself comfortably. Take some deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on your day. Where were you able to receive the Lord s comfort or encouragement about any of the difficult circumstances that have been a challenge to you or have tested your faith? Give thanks for those blessings and those sparks of hope. Where do you still feel shadowed by darkness and unable to reach God? Offer God the desperation and despair. Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. 12

13 For Wednesday, May 16 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few minutes to be quiet, and then offer yourself to God for this morning s devotion and prayer. Matthew 13:31-32 read the scripture slowly Jesus put before them another parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. Reflection Most of us who live in the city do not get to plant seeds in the dirt of a garden. And most of us do not bake our own yeast breads from scratch. Still the message of these parables may encourage us in our desire to participate in the work of God s kingdom. The smallest seed becomes the largest garden bush and the bit of yeast leavens the large batch of dough. In the small sphere of our influence, by our small efforts, and the small steps we can take, we start to make an impact by sharing the gospel of Jesus and we can do it today, with the resources at hand, in the life that was given to us when we woke up. For prayer Pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God into the day ahead, the things planned and the surprises that may await you. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to opportunities to plant small seeds of hope in your conversations and to influence the atmosphere in your home or workplace with the secret leaven of kindness and generosity. Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 13

14 evening Position yourself comfortably. Take some deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on your day. Where were you able to be give expression to God s love today? Give thanks for those opportunities. Ask the Holy Spirit to water the seeds of your testimony and to bless the gifts you gave for his sake. Where do feel you may have missed an opportunity to extend God s love for someone? Pray for forgiveness and offer that person to the Lord for his faithful care. Ask for his help for tomorrow. O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 14

15 For Thursday, May 17 morning Position yourself comfortably, take a few minutes to be quiet and then offer yourself to God for this morning s devotion and prayer. Matthew 9:35-38 read the scripture slowly Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Reflection Here is a prayer for the coming of God s kingdom right from the lips of Jesus: Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out more workers into the field. Jesus is moved with compassion when he meets people in his itinerant travels. They seem lost, harassed and helpless. So he preaches the good news of the Kingdom of God and heals the sick, casts out demons, forgives sins, and raises the dead. Wow. For prayer In praying thy kingdom come, pray for more individuals willing to share the gospel and do God s works of healing and deliverance. Pray for the eyes to see and a heart of compassion for those who are unaware of God s love for them. Pray for the desire to be a worker sent out. Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. 15

16 evening Position yourself comfortably. Take some deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on your day. When did you sense that you were more aware of those around you and appreciate the difficulty or strain that they may be living with? Thank God for those insights and offer those people to him now. Where were you able to take action to offer help, prayer, encouragement in the Name of Christ to another? Give thanks for the gift. Where did you feel lost today inside your own head and consumed with your own stuff? Express those struggles to the Lord and ask for forgiveness for being preoccupied with self and pray for greater freedom and availability for tomorrow. Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 16

17 For Friday, May 18 morning Position yourself comfortably taking a few minutes to be quiet. Then offer yourself to God for this morning s devotion and prayer. Luke 19: 1-10 read the scripture slowly He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycomore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today. So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner. Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much. Then Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. Reflection Jesus pushed through the boundaries of religious traditions and practice, especially if they became barriers to people being able to receive the good news of salvation and his gifts of healing, deliverance, and forgiveness. He kept company with sinners, touched the unclean lepers, and healed on the Sabbath. The apostle Paul, in writing to the Romans to help sort out questions of religious observance (dietary restrictions), says that the evidence of God s kingdom is not in religious rule-keeping but in the Righteousness, Peace, and Joy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). And that s what we see in Zaccheus: his joy in Jesus coming, the peace he feels in receiving Jesus forgiveness, and the righteousness of his desire to lead a transformed life for God. 17

18 For prayer Do we make our religious observance a barrier to our sharing the faith with others? Does our worship create barriers for people seeking Christ near us? Do we have a heart to seek and save what is lost, the way Jesus did? Pray thy kingdom come into your parish s missions and ministries, that the Holy Spirit would increase Righteousness, Joy, and Peace. O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. evening Position yourself comfortably. Take deep breaths. Invite the Holy Spirit s illumination as you reflect back on your day. Recall your coming to faith story and moments of Joy and Peace that the Holy Spirit brought to you. 18 Give thanks for your story of faith and God s desire over you. Did you experience any of those moments today? Give thanks. Were you aware of being prompted to move outside your comfort zone to reach out to someone? Give thanks for the prompting. Were you aware of a prompting to reach out to someone but turned away for lack of courage or because your judgment of that person held you back? Ask for forgiveness and mercy for tomorrow s opportunity.

19 O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. For Saturday, May 19 a concluding reflection John 20:19-22 read the scripture slowly When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Reflection Today, as the last day before tomorrow s Pentecost celebration, make room for some moments of stillness and reflection. Ask Jesus to breath his Spirit over you. Breathe him in. Thy Kingdom Come...Come Holy Spirit Perhaps the two prayers articulated above are more like the two strands of one thread twisted together: The coming of the Holy Spirit is the working of God s kingdom in us and in the world. Take some time to look back over this last week, and reread any notes you may have made about your meditations. Where do you desire to be more fully engaged in the work of the kingdom? Make an offering of that desire to God. 19

20 Where do you feel the need to keep praying? Ask for the faith and perseverance. Where are you discouraged or frustrated? Ask for God s help with your hopelessness and anger. Where have you seen blessings and graces this week in your life? Give thanks. Where have you seen breakthroughs and testimonies of God s kingdom work in the lives of others? Give thanks. Where do you desire a fresh experience of the Holy Spirit? Offer your body and soul to God. Prayer of thanksgiving Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.