September 2016 Prayers

Luke 6:12-26 12 Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13And when day came, he calledhis disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: 14Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, andJames, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called theZealot, 16and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17He came down with them and stood on a level place, with agreat crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had cometo hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19And all in the crowd weretrying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21'Blessed are you whoare hungry now, for you will be filled. 'Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22'Blessed are you when people hate you, andwhen they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely yourreward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24'But woe to you who are rich, for you have received yourconsolation. 25'Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. 'Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.26'Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Acts 21:37-22:16 37Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, 'May I say something to you?' The tribune replied, 'Doyou know Greek? 38Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into thewilderness?' 39Paul replied, 'I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.'40When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence; and when there was a great hush, headdressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:'Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense that I now make before you.' 2When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew, theybecame even more quiet. Then he said:3 'I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to ourancestral law, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today. 4I persecuted this Way up to the point of death by binding both men andwomen and putting them in prison, 5as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also receivedletters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem forpunishment. 6'While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. 7I fellto the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" 8I answered, "Who are you, Lord?" Then hesaid to me, "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting." 9Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice ofthe one who was speaking to me. 10I asked, "What am I to do, Lord?" The Lord said to me, "Get up and go to Damascus; there you willbe told everything that has been assigned to you to do." 11Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who werewith me took my hand and led me to Damascus. 12'A certain Ananias, who was a devout man according to the law and well spoken of byall the Jews living there, 13came to me; and standing beside me, he said, "Brother Saul, regain your sight!" In that very hour I regained mysight and saw him. 14Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear hisown voice; 15for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard. 16And now why do you delay? Get up, bebaptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name."The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Hosea 10:1-15 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased the more altars he built; as his country improved, heimproved his pillars. 2Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars, and destroy theirpillars. 3For now they will say: "We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD, and a king-what could he do for us?" 4Theyutter mere words; with empty oaths they make covenants; so litigation springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field. 5Theinhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf of Beth-aven. Its people shall mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests shall wail over it, over itsglory that has departed from it. 6The thing itself shall be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim shall be put to shame, andIsrael shall be ashamed of his idol. 7Samaria's king shall perish like a chip on the face of the waters. 8The high places of Aven, the sin ofIsrael, shall be destroyed. Thorn and thistle shall grow up on their altars. They shall say to the mountains, Cover us, and to the hills, Fall on us.9 Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel; there they have continued. Shall not war overtake them in Gibeah? 10I will comeagainst the wayward people to punish them; and nations shall be gathered against them when they are punished for their double iniquity.11Ephraim was a trained heifer that loved to thresh, and I spared her fair neck; but I will make Ephraim break the ground; Judah mustplow; Jacob must harrow for himself. 12Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is timeto seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. 13You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, you haveeaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your power and in the multitude of your warriors, 14therefore the tumult of war shallrise against your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle when motherswere dashed in pieces with their children. 15Thus it shall be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. At dawn the king ofIsrael shall be utterly cut off.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Mark 13:21-2721And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. 22False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But be alert; I have already told you everything.24 ‘But in those days, after that suffering,the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Hebrews 1:1-141Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you’? Or again,‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’? 6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’ 7Of the angels he says,‘He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.’ 8But of the Son he says,‘Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever, and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.’ 10And,‘In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.’ 13But to which of the angels has he ever said,‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’? 14Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Job 38:1-738Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 2 ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 4 ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Luke 4:31- 37 31 He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. 32 They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 "Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. 36 They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, "What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!" 37 And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Acts 18:12- 28 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. 13 They said, "This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the law." 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of crime or serious villainy, I would be justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews; 15 but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters." 16 And he dismissed them from the tribunal. 17 Then all of them seized Sosthenes, the official of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of these things. 18 After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. 19 When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay longer, he declined; 21 but on taking leave of them, he said, "I will return to you, if God wills." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Esther 5: 1- 14 (NRSV)1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, opposite the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor and he held out to her the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3 The king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom." 4 Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet that I have prepared for the king." 5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther desires." So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled." 7 Then Esther said, "This is my petition and request: 8 If I have won the king's favor, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and then I will do as the king has said." 9 Haman went out that day happy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and observed that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was infuriated with Mordecai; 10 nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home. Then he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh, 11 and Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the ministers of the king. 12 Haman added, "Even Queen Esther let no one but myself come with the king to the banquet that she prepared. Tomorrow also I am invited by her, together with the king. 13 Yet all this does me no good so long as I see the Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate." 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go with the king to the banquet in good spirits." This advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

James 1:19-27 19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-they will be blessed in their doing. 26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Job 28:1-28 "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold to be refined. 2Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. 3Miners put an end to darkness, and search out to the farthest bound the ore in gloom and deep darkness. 4They open shafts in a valley away from human habitation; they are forgotten by travelers, they sway suspended, remote from people. 5As for the earth, out of it comes bread; but underneath it is turned up as by fire. 6Its stones are the place of sapphires, and its dust contains gold. 7"That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it. 8The proud wild animals have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it. 9"They put their hand to the flinty rock, and overturn mountains by the roots. 10They cut out channels in the rocks, and their eyes see every precious thing. 11The sources of the rivers they probe; hidden things they bring to light. 12"But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' 15It cannot be gotten for gold, and silver cannot be weighed out as its price. 16It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. 17Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 18No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. 19The chrysolite of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.20 "Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? 21It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air. 22Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' 23"God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. 24For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens. 25When he gave to the wind its weight, and apportioned out the waters by measure; 26when he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the thunderbolt; 27then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out. 28And he said to humankind, 'Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'"The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Job 29:1-20 (NRSV)Job again took up his discourse and said: 2"Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me; 3when his lamp shone over my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; 4when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent; 5when the Almighty was still with me, when my children were around me; 6when my steps were washed with milk, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!7 When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square, 8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose up and stood; 9the nobles refrained from talking, and laid their hands on their mouths; 10the voices of princes were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 11When the ear heard, it commended me, and when the eye saw, it approved; 12because I delivered the poor who cried, and the orphan who had no helper. 13The blessing of the wretched came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. 15I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. 16I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. 17I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made them drop their prey from their teeth.18 Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix; 19my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches; 20my glory was fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.'The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

John 10:31-42 (NRSV)31The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32Jesus replied, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?' 33The Jews answered, 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.' 34Jesus answered, 'Is it not written in your law, "I said, you are gods"? 35If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods" -and the scripture cannot be annulled- 36can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, "I am God's Son"? 37If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.'39 Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. 40He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41Many came to him, and they were saying, 'John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.' 42And many believed in him there.The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Psalm 141 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." *All are corrupt and commit abominable acts;there is none who does any good.2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon us all, *to see if there is any who is wise,if there is one who seeks after God.3 Every one has proved faithless;all alike have turned bad; *there is none who does good; no, not one.4 Have they no knowledge, all those evildoers *who eat up my people like breadand do not call upon the Lord?5 See how they tremble with fear, *because God is in the company of the righteous.6 Their aim is to confound the plans of the afflicted, *but the Lord is their refuge.7 Oh, that Israel's deliverance would come out of Zion! *when the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad.

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse-- a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them."For my people are foolish,they do not know me;they are stupid children,they have no understanding.They are skilled in doing evil,but do not know how to do good."I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;and to the heavens, and they had no light.I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,and all the hills moved to and fro.I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,and all the birds of the air had fled.I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,and all its cities were laid in ruins before the Lord, before his fierce anger.For thus says the Lord: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.Because of this the earth shall mourn,and the heavens above grow black;for I have spoken, I have purposed;I have not relented nor will I turn back.

Acts 13:13-25 (NRSV)13Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem;14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, 'Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.' 16So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: 'You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance 20for about four hundred fifty years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22When he had removed him, he made David their king. In his testimony about him he said, "I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after my heart, who will carry out all my wishes." 23Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised; 24before his coming John had already proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his work, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but one is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of the sandals on his feet.'The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.