FEASTS OF HOLY MEN
MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER
GREETING AND DOXOLOGY
Psalm 34:1-21
Turn to God, be bright with joy; you shall never be let down.
I will never stop thanking God,
with constant words of praise
My soul will boast of God;
the poor will hear me and be glad.
Join me in praising the Lord,
together tell of God’s name.
I asked and the Lord responded,
freed me from all my fears.
Turn to God, be bright with joy;
you shall never be let down.
I begged and God heard,
took my burdens from me.
God’s angel defends the faithful,
guards them on every side.
Drink in the richness of God,
enjoy the strength of the Lord.
Live in awe of God, you saints:
you will want for nothing.
Even if lions go hungry,
those seeking God are fed.
Come to me, children, listen:
learn to cherish the Lord.
Do you long for life,
for time to enjoy success?
Keep your tongue from evil,
keep lies far from your lips.
Shun evil, go after good,
Press on, seek after peace.
God confronts the wicked
to blot them out for ever,
but turns toward the just
to hear their cry for help.
The troubled call out; God hears,
saves them from all distress.
God stays near broken hearts,
heals the wounded spirit.
The good endure great trials,
but God comes to their rescue
and guards their every bone
so not one is broken.
READING Revelation 14: 12-13
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them.”
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Blessed are those who give their hearts to God.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Those who walk the path of justice and mercy follow im the way of Jesus.
INTERCESSIONS
God of justice, you have given us generous witnesses to your love and mercy. Through their example may we be inspired to love and serve you more ardently.
Holy men of all time have proclaimed your Good News in word and deed:
May we give voice to the Spirit speaking within us.
Holy men, fathers, brothers, priests and prophets, have been called throughout history to act as reconcilers and servant ministers among your people:
May the memory of their dedication enable us to act as healers and builders of justice in our world.
Enabled by the gifts of God’s Spirit, holy men have guided, taught, and healed your church in all ages:
May we reverence all Christians’ call to service and empower them to use their gifts to further the reign of God.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER FOR THE FEAST
BLESSING
HOLY MEN
DAYTIME PRAYER
GREETINGS AND DOXOLOGY
PSALM 27
O God, I long to see your face.
The Lord is my saving light;
Whom should I fear?
God is my fortress;
what should I dread?
When the violent come at me
to eat me alive,
a mob eager to kill
they waver, they collapse.
Should battalions lay siege,
I will not fear;
should war rage against me,
even then I will trust.
One thing I ask the Lord,
one thing I seek:
to live in the house of God
every day of my life,
caught up in God’s beauty,
at prayer in his temple
The Lord will hide me there,
hide my life from attack:
a sheltering tent above me,
a firm rock below.
I am now beyond reach
of those who besiege me.
In his temple I will offer
a joyful sacrifice,
I will play and sing to God.
O God, listen to me;
be gracious, answer me.
Deep within me a voice says,
“Look for the face of God!”
So I look for your face,
I beg you not to hide.
Do not shut me out in anger,
help me instead.
Do not abandon or desert me,
my savior, my God.
If my parents rejected me,
still God would take me in.
Teach me how to live,
lead me on the right road
away from my enemies.
Do not leave me to their malice;
liars breathing violence
rise to swear against me.
I know I will see
how good God is
while I am still alive.
Trust in the Lord. Be strong.
Be brave. Trust in the Lord.
READING Colossians 3:12-15
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
RESPONSE
Let us live as God’s chosen ones,
holy and beloved.
May we be clothed in thankfulness,
and the mantle of tender compassion.
PRAYER
O God, bless the work of this day. Use us to bring about greater justice and peace for all nations and peoples. Open our eyes to see the presence of Jesus in each person we meet today. Make us instruments of your love and mercy. Amen.
BLESSING
ALTERNATE PSALM FOR DAYTIME PRAYER:
PSALM 13
ALTERNATE READINGS FOR DAYTIME PRAYER
Galatians 6:9-10
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:13b-19
Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
Titus 3:4-8
When the goodness and loving kindness of God ,Our Savior, appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, We might become heirs according to the hope of Eternal life. The saying is sure.