MON, JUNE 24
Prayer from Sheltering Mercy (Smith/Wilt)
"Cloaked in Grace"
Inspired by Psalm 26
Psalm 119:10–18 (ESV)10 With our whole heart we seek you; let us not wander from your commandments! 11 We have stored up your word in our hearts, that we might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach us your statutes! 13 With our lips we declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies we delight as much as in all riches. 15 We will meditate on your precepts and fix our eyes on your ways. 16 We will delight in your statutes; we will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servants, that we may live and keep your word. 18 Open our eyes, that we may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Lectio Divina (Divine Reading):
1. Read
2. Reflect
3. Respond
4. Rest
Scripture Reading: Psalm 26 (English Standard Version)
Of David. 1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4 I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12 My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
Reflect
Scripture Reading: Psalm 26 (New Jerusalem Bible)
Of David 1 Yahweh, be my judge! I go on my way in innocence, my trust in Yahweh never wavers. 2 Probe me, Yahweh, examine me, Test my heart and my mind in the fire. 3 For your faithful love is before my eyes, and I live my life by your truth. 4 No sitting with wastrels for me, no travelling with hypocrites; 5 I hate the company of sinners, I refuse to sit down with the wicked. 6 I will wash my hands in innocence and join the procession round your altar, Yahweh, 7 to make heard the sound of thanksgiving, to proclaim all your wonders. 8 Yahweh, I love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not couple me with sinners, nor my life with men of violence, 10 whose hands are stained with guilt, their right hands heavy with bribes. 11 In innocence I will go on my way; ransom me, take pity on me. 12 I take my stand on the right path; I will bless you, Yahweh, in the assemblies.
Reflect
Scripture Reading: Psalm 26 (New Living Translation)
A psalm of David. 1 Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. 3 For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. 4 I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. 5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, 7 singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. 8 I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. 9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. 10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes. 11 But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy. 12 Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.
Respond
Prayer
"Grant, Almighty God, that as you shine on us by your Word, we may not be blind at midday, nor willfully seek darkness, and thus lull our minds asleep; but may we be roused daily by your words, and may we stir up ourselves more and more to fear your name and thus present ourselves and all our pursuits as a sacrifice to you, that you may peaceably rule, and perpetually dwell in us, until you gather us to your celestial habitation, where there is reserved for us eternal rest in glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." John Calvin
Lord’s Prayer (Pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.