Dear God, may I have peace within, this day. May I trust You that I am exactly where I am meant to be. May I not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May I use those gifts that I have received, and pass on the love that has been given to me. May I be confident knowing I am a Your beloved child. Let this presence settle into my bones, and allow my soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
Make us to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you. Help me to believe mightily, hope joyfully, and love divinely. Renew me that I may help renew the face of the earth.
Dear God, as I cross the threshold of this day, I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Your care. Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me. Incline my heart to Your ways.
What a miracle it is, dear Lord, that You can bring together people of all tribes, tongues, and nations to be like-minded in Christ, to share a bond of love and affection for Jesus. Mold me completely into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay. May my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Your praise.
Seek me out, and bring me home to Your fold again. Deal favourably with me according to Your good pleasure, until I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life. Let me praise You forever and ever with them that are there.
Dear Lord, walk with me so that I may not be alone as I face this day, but always in Your presence. Your joy is a lighthouse in a world often dark with sin. And, I pray that I may reflect the light of Your truth, to inspire others as I have been inspired.
Give me the hope I need and help me never to be afraid to begin again. You told Your disciples to be anxious for nothing. I give to You my anxiety, Lord Christ, and lay my troubles upon Your mighty back.
Let me work for your glory and not my own, Lord Jesus. Let the anxiety that comes from pride and vanity and fear of others might be gone from me. And, let me serve you in joy and peace.
Dear Heavenly Father, as I face this new day, let me be aware of the work You have done for me as I slept. I praise You that Your loving care never slumbers, but has been with me while I was least aware of it. And, that You renew me and the whole world, fresh every day, preparing Your plans for me.
I pray that I may seek Your will this day, Your plan for my life, and carry out Your plan in my every action. I lay my hopes and fears on an altar before You, that Your Holy Spirit may guide my hopes toward the light of Your holiness. And, may quiet my fears with the knowledge of Your infinite peace, in total confidence that Your grace will save me from the evils of this world.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within me all this day. Dispel our darkness and make us a people with one heart and one voice, forever singing Your praise. And, whatever I do in word or deed, may I do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Hili ni neno aliloliona Isaya mwana wa Amozi katika habari za Yuda na Yerusalemu. Na itakuwa katika siku za mwisho, mlima wa nyumba ya Bwana utawekwa imara juu ya milima, nao utainuliwa juu ya vilima; na mataifa yote watauendea makundi makundi. Na mataifa mengi watakwenda na kusema, Njoni, twende juu mlimani kwa Bwana, nyumbani kwa Mungu wa Yakobo, naye atatufundisha njia zake, nasi tutakwenda katika mapito yake maana katika Sayuni itatoka sheria, na neno la Bwana katika Yerusalemu. Naye atafanya hukumu katika mataifa mengi, atawakemea watu wa kabila nyingi; nao watafua panga zao ziwe majembe, na mikuki yao iwe miundu; taifa halitainua upanga juu ya taifa lingine, wala hawatajifunza vita tena kamwe. Enyi wa nyumba ya Israeli, njoni, twende katika nuru ya Bwana.
Wimbo wa Katikati Zab 122:1-4, 8-9
Nalifurahi waliponiambia, Na twende nyumbani kwa Bwana. Miguu yetu imesimama Ndani ya malango yako, Ee Yerusalemu. (K) Nalifurahi waliponiambia, Na twende nyumbani kwa Bwana.
Ee Yerusalemu uliyejengwa Kama mji ulioshikamana, Huko ndiko walikopanda kabila, Kabila za Bwana; (K) Nalifurahi waliponiambia, Na twende nyumbani kwa Bwana.
Kwa ajili ya ndugu zangu na rafiki zangu Niseme sasa, Amani ikae nawe. Kwa ajili ya nyumba ya Bwana, Mungu wetu, Nikutafutie mema. (K) Nalifurahi waliponiambia, Na twende nyumbani kwa Bwana.
Somo la Pili Rum 13:11-14
Ndugu zangu, tukiujua wakati, kwamba saa ya kuamka katika usingizi imekwisha kuwadia; kwa maana sasa wokovu wetu u karibu nasi kuliko tulipoanza kuamini Usiku umeendelea sana, mchana umekaribia, basi na tuyavue matendo ya giza, na kuzivaa silaha za nuru.Kama ilivyohusika na mchana na tuenende kwa adabu; si kwa ulafi na ulevi, si kwa ufisadi na uasherati, si kwa ugomvi na wivu. Bali mvaeni Bwana Yesu Kristo, wala msiuangalie mwili, hata kuwasha tamaa zake.
Shangilio Zab 85:7
Aleluya, aleluya Ee Bwana utuonyesha rehema zako, Utupe na wokovu wako, Aleluya
Somo la Injili Mt 24:37-44
Siku ile, Yesu aliwaambia wanafunzi wake kama vile ilivyokuwa siku za Nuhu, ndivyo kutakavyokuwa kuja kwake Mwana wa Adamu. Kwa kuwa kama vile siku zile zilizokuwa kabla ya Gharika watu walivyokuwa wakila, na kunywa, wakioa na kuolewa, hata siku ile aliyoingia Nuhu katika safina, wasitambue, hata Gharika ikaja, ikawachukua wote, ndivyo kutakavyokuwa kuja kwake Mwana wa Adamu. Wakati ule watu wawili watakuwako kondeni; mmoja atwaliwa, mmoja aachwa; wanawake wawili watakuwa wakisaga; mmoja atwaliwa, mmoja aachwa. Kesheni basi; kwa maana hamjui ni siku ipi atakayokuja Bwana wenu. Lakini fahamuni neno hili; kama mwenye nyumba angaliijua ile zamu mwivi atakayokuja, angalikesha, wala asingaliiacha nyumba yake kuvunjwa. Kwa sababu hiyo ninyi nanyi jiwekeni tayari; kwa kuwa katika saa msiyodhani Mwana wa Adamu yuaja.
The Lord will gather all nations into the eternal peace of the Kingdom of God.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
I rejoiced because they said to me, “We will go up to the house of the LORD.” And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
℟. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.
℟. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
℟. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
℟. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends I will say, “Peace be within you!” Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.
℟. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
SECOND READING Rom 13:11-14
Our salvation is nearer.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
ACCLAMATION BEFORE THE GOSPEL cf. Ps 85:8
℟. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.
℟. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 24:37-44
Stay awake, that you may be prepared!
✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:
Dear Lord, You are the God who sees us, and yet we can still run to You. We need You to do in us what we cannot do for ourselves. Please remove any mountain of pride or valley of despair that would keep us from welcoming You into our lives.
Grant me that desire to spend time in your presence always. Help me to hear your call and to turn down the world’s volume so that I can hear it. Dwell with me., Lord.
Let my words today build up someone for Your glory. Help us not to fall into temptation. And, help us to encourage each other each and everyday, for the greater glory of Your Kingdom.
Dear Heavenly Father, blessed are You for ever; Holy is Your name. Great is Your mercy for Your people. In the morning, I cry out to You my deepest concerns.
Teach me to love with the love of Christ that others might see Your love reflected in my care and concern for them. May Your love drive and dominate my responses to life and to others. Remain in my heart, and guide me in my love and service all of this day.
Help me to shine Your light before others and lead them to the way of faith. May Your law and Your goodness guide my every thought, O Lord. And, may the power of your Holy Spirit flow through my words and my actions today, and always.
Dear God, blessed be Your Name in all the earth. I thank You because You have delivered me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of Your risen Son. We rejoice in this new day You have made, and praise You for Your mighty acts.
As I offer You all that is ordinary and everyday in my life, I ask you to give me the power of your Spirit that I may transform each day by living with a positive attitude, looking for the best in people and situations. Inspire me to live in Your presence every day so that I may have a full share of the hope only Your Spirit can bring. Lead me do the ordinary things of life in an extraordinary way, to Your glory.
Guide our steps toward and not away from those who need You. Then guide our words and our actions, too. So that, we can be purposeful in our encounters with others.
Dear Lord, I give You thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make me and all of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need. We believe in You, our Jehovah Jireh.
Forgive me for the foolish choices I have made. Please enable me to be wiser in my choices. Teach me the value of resting in Your grace.
I humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves a people who remember Your favor and are glad to do Your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
Dear Lord, I need Your guidance today. If things get tough today, Lord — and in all hard times — let me stay motivated and calm. Let me look at how far I have come rather than how far I still have to go.
Thank you, Father, that no matter what the devil tries to do he will never be greater than You. I give You all the glory and thank You for paving Your way for me. Nothing shall stop Your plan for me in Jesus’ mighty name.
Send me now into the world in peace, Lord. And, grant me strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart. Make me a servant that is humble and meek, Lord.
Dear Lord, thank You that You are faithful to keep Your promises. Please help me to always look forward to You. Bless the work of our hands today, Lord.
We believe You weep at the pain and anguish some of Your children experience because they love You. We pray that You will strengthen them in the midst of their suffering and send them Your grace. Cover them with Your most precious blood.
May the world see our love for each other—and the deeds that come from it—as a great testimony to the bond of unity we have in You. May they want to know You, too. We all humbly ask this in Your mighty Name.
Dear God, thank You for a night sky that helps us glimpse eternity. We can’t begin to understand it fully, but we know it is there, and we know You are there. Help us trust You for what we don’t know.
I choose to put on the mind of Christ. I want peace of mind and soundness. I want to be focused, sober and vigilant. I receive the mind of Christ and the peace of Christ.
You still have things that you want to teach me yet. I ask for the grace to hear them and let them change me. I receive your thoughts and your ways of doing things today, God.
Have you talked to the Lord recently? How often do you call on the name of the Lord? My friends, let us call on His Name everyday of our lives. Not just when we need something, but even in times of goodness, still let’s call on Him.
Sometimes we may feel that He’s not listening. We feel that when we talk to Him, we’re just mumbling with ourselves. Don’t feel that way. He said in the Bible several times that He will listen to our cries and prayers. God will never leave us hanging.
Always remember that He is always listening to you. He watches over you. God will take care of you and your needs. In times of desperation and joy, He is there, always there. Call upon the Name of the Lord today. Talk to Him, and He will answer you.
Dear Lord, You have brought me to the beginning of a new day. As the world is renewed fresh and clean, so I ask You to renew my heart with Your strength and purpose. Forgive me the errors of yesterday and bless me to walk closer in your way today.
This is the day I begin my life anew. Shine through me so that every person I meet may feel your presence in my soul. Take my hand, precious Lord, for I cannot make it by myself.
Enlighten the darkness of my mind. Give me a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity. So that, I may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will.
Dear Lord, accept my thanks for all the little things that make my life possible, and pleasant. Everything that I will never remember to thank You for specifically, great Lord, I thank You for now. Your Name will be glorified, forevermore.
Let me not forget my prayers as I go out into the world. Holy Spirit, be with me, and let me praise you and remember you in my every action and thought, for the entire day long. In Christ’s name I ask this.
Help me to keep my faith today, through every trial and doubt I face. Stay close to me; Holy Spirit, abide in me and make your presence known in everything I see and do. Give me strength the whole day through, mighty God.
Dear Lord, accept my thanks for all the little things that make my life possible, and pleasant. Everything that I will never remember to thank You for specifically, great Lord, I thank You for now. Your Name will be glorified, forevermore.
Let me not forget my prayers as I go out into the world. Holy Spirit, be with me, and let me praise you and remember you in my every action and thought, for the entire day long. In Christ’s name I ask this.
Help me to keep my faith today, through every trial and doubt I face. Stay close to me; Holy Spirit, abide in me and make your presence known in everything I see and do. Give me strength the whole day through, mighty God.
Shortly before the fall of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, in 612 B.C., Nahum uttered his prophecy against the hated city. To understand the prophet’s exultant outburst of joy over the impending destruction it is necessary to recall the savage cruelty of Assyria, which had made it the scourge of the ancient Near East for almost three centuries. The royal inscriptions of Assyria afford the best commentary on Nahum’s burning denunciation of “the bloody city.” In the wake of their conquests, mounds of heads, impaled bodies, enslaved citizens, and avaricious looters testified to the ruthlessness of the Assyrians. Just such a conquest was suffered by Israel, when its capital Samaria fell to the Assyrians in 722/721 B.C., and by Judah, when its capital Jerusalem nearly fell to invading Assyrian armies twenty years later. Little wonder that in 3:19 Judah is shown as joining in the general outburst of joy over the destruction of Nineveh!
But Nahum is not a prophet of unrestrained revenge. He asserts God’s moral government of the world. Nineveh’s doom is evidence that God stands against oppression and the abuse of power. As an ancient Near Eastern superpower, Assyria had terrorized its smaller and weaker neighbors, exploiting their economies and subjugating their people for its own ends. Thus Nineveh’s demise is viewed as an act of divine justice, and it is greeted by the small, oppressed countries as a time of deliverance, as a moment of renewal, and as a message of peace (2:1; 3:19).
The book is divided as follows:
I. God’s Terrifying Appearance (1:2–8)
II. Nineveh’s Judgment and Judah’s Restoration (1:9–2:1)
THRIVING IN HOLINESS 