2. Introduction
The night has passed, and the day lies open before
us; let us pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and forever!
If you are praying with another person – read responsively
where appropriate.
3. The Psalm – Psalm 130
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
1
From the depths of disaster I appeal to You, O Eternal One:
2
Lord, hear my cry!
Attune Your ears to my humble prayer!
3
If You, Eternal One, recorded each offense,
Lord, who on earth could stand innocent?
4
But with You forgiveness exists;
that’s why true respect of You might flow.
5
So I wait for the Eternal—my soul awaits rescue—
and I put my hope in His transforming word.
6
My soul waits for the Lord to break into the world
more than night watchmen expect the break of day,
even more than night watchmen expect the break of day.
7
O Israel, ground your hope in the Eternal.
For in the Eternal lives the most loyal love,
and with Him comes the most abundant redemption.
8
He will ransom Israel
from all the sinful acts that stole you away.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
4. Short Reading and Meditation
30"I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I
judge; and my judgment is just, because I
seek to do not my own will but the will of
him who sent me.
31"If I testify about myself, my testimony is
not true. 32There is another who testifies on
my behalf, and I know that his testimony to
me is true. 33You sent messengers to John,
and he testified to the truth. 34Not that I
accept such human testimony, but I say
these things so that you may be saved. 35He
was a burning and shining lamp, and you
were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36But I have a testimony greater than John's.
The works that the Father has given me to
complete, the very works that I am doing,
testify on my behalf that the Father has sent
me. 37And the Father who sent me has
himself testified on my behalf. You have
never heard his voice or seen his form,
38and you do not have his word abiding in
you, because you do not believe him whom
he has sent.
Thought for Today
Jesus holds the gift of Life.
It is only through Him that
we can know the Father.
John’s testimony, the
Scriptures, Jesus’ works,
and even the Father
himself testified that He is
the One sent to save us.
How can a thinking person
not believe in the One?
John 5:30-38
5. Prayer
Pray Silently or Aloud for Others and Yourself
Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.
(Augustine, 354 - 430)
