Scripture and Prayer on Monday, June 1, 2020

Pastor David reads Galatians 1:1-17 and offers this prayer from Martin Luther King, Jr.:

Most gracious and all wise God, before whose face the generations rise and fall; thou in whome we live, and move, and have our being. We thank thee for all of thy good and gracious gifts, for life and for health; for food and for raiment; for the beauties of nature and the love of human nature. We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate. We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie. We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road. For these sins O God forgive. Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high, give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Monday, June 1, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on May 29, 2020

Pastor David reads Ephesians 5:1-20 and offers a prayer from a plaque on the altar of the Coventry Cathedral in England:

The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father, forgive.

The covetous desires of men and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father, forgive.

The greed which exploits the labors of men, and lays waste the earth,
Father, forgive.

Scripture and Prayer on Thursday, May 28, 2020

Pastor David reads Ephesians 4:17-32 and offers a prayer from Johann Arndt:

Bestow on me, Lord, a genial spirit and unwearied forbearance; a mild, loving patient heart; kindly looking, pleasant, friendly speech and manners in daily life; that I may give offense to no one, but as much as in me lies, live in charity with all people.

(Apologies for the late post today! There was a glitch with our upload earlier in the day.)

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Thursday, May 28, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Pastor David reads Ephesians 4:1-16 and offers a prayer from John Henry Newman:

God has created me to do for him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission. … I am a link in a chain, a connection between people. God has not created me for nothing. I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep his commandments and serve him in my calling.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Pastor David reads Ephesians 3:14-21 and offers an anonymous prayer:

Grant us, Lord, to know in weakness the strength of your incarnation;
in pain the triumph of your passion;
in poverty the riches of your Godhead;
in reproach the satisfaction of your sympathy;
in loneliness the comfort of your continual presence;
in difficulty the efficacy of your intercession;
in perplexity the guidance of your wisdom;
and by your glorious death and resurrection bring us at last to the joy of seeing you face to face.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Monday, May 25, 2020

Pastor David reads Ephesians 3:2-13 and offers a prayer from Hilary, a 4th century church leader:

Almighty God, bestow on us the meaning of words, the light of understanding, the nobility of diction, and the faith of the true nature. And grant that what we believe we may also speak.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Monday, May 25, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Friday, May 22, 2020

Pastor David reads Psalm 46 and offers a prayer from Christina Rossetti:

Lord, you are life, though I be dead;
Love’s fire you are, however cold I may be;
Nor heaven have I, nor place to lay my head,
nor home, but thee.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Friday, May 22, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Thursday, May 21, 2020

On this Ascension Day, Pastor David reads Daniel 7:9-14 and offers a prayer from the Leonine Sacramentary (a 7th century collection of Christian religious services):

Almighty and merciful God, into whose gracious presence we ascend, not by the frailty of the flesh but by the activity of the soul: Make us always by your inspiration to seek after the courts of the heavenly city, where our Savior Christ has ascended, and by your mercy confidently to enter them, both now and hereafter; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Thursday, May 21, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Pastor David reads Ephesians 1:1-10 and offers a prayer from Basil the Great:

O Lord our God, teach us to ask aright for the right blessings. Guide the vessel of our life towards yourself, the tranquil haven of all storm-tossed souls. Show us the course we should take. Renew a willing spirit within us. Let your Spirit curb our wayward senses and guide and enable us to what is our true good, to keep your laws and in all our deeds always to rejoice in your glorious and gladdening presence. For yours is the glory and praise of all your saints for ever and ever.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Scripture and Prayer on Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Pastor David reads 1 Timothy 2:1-6 and offers a prayer from the Knights of the Garter:

O God, almighty Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, grant that the hearts and minds of all who go out as leaders before us, the statesmen, the judges, the people of learning and the people of wealth, may be so filled with the love of your laws and of that which is righteous and life-giving, that they may be worthy stewards of your good and perfect gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Posted by Mt. Haley Church of God on Tuesday, May 19, 2020