St James’s Time To Pray

Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem were saying 'Isn't this the man they are seeking to kill?' and 'Look he speaks out publicly and they say nothing to him. Can it possibly be that the authorities have actually realised that this man is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from. But when the Christ comes, no-one will know where he comes from.' Then Jesus cried out in the temple courts, teaching: 'You know me, and where I come from. I have not come on my own authority but it is true about the one who sent me, whom you do not know. I know him, because I am from him; that one sent me. So they sought to arrest him, and yet no-one laid a hand on him because his hour had not yet come. In fact many of the crowd believed in him and they said 'When the Christ comes, he won't do more signs than this man has done, will he?' Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart. George Herbert

The crowd replied 'You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill you?' Jesus replied : ' I did one thing, and you all are amazed because of it. Moses gave you circumcision - not that it came from Moses, but the Patriarchs - and you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me because I made a whole man healthy on the Sabbath? Do not judge by first impressions, but judge with right judgement.' Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me Be thou a smooth path below me Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me Today - tonight -forever Amen. St Columba

When the festival was already halfway through, Jesus went up to the Temple courts and he began to teach. Then the Jewish crowds were wondering and said 'How does this man have so much learning, not having been trained?' Jesus answered them 'My teaching does not come from me but from the one who sent me. If anyone chooses to do his will, they will know about my teaching whether it is from God or whether I speak on my own authority. The one speaking on their own authority seeks their own glory. The one seeking the glory of the one who sent them - that one is truthful and injustice is not in them. Did not Moses give you the Law? Yet none of you keeps the Law. Why do you seek to kill me?' O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me. O Love, who redeemed me, fill up in me whatever part of your love has fallen into neglect within me. O Love, O God, who first loved me, grant that with my whole heart, and with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I may love you. Gertrude the Great

For the next six months Jesus was walking about in Galilee. For he chose not to walk about in Judea, because the Jewish leaders were looking for a chance to kill him. The Jewish Festival of Sukkot was near. So his brothers said to him 'You should leave here, and go to Judea, so that your disciples will see the works you do. For nobody does anything in secret and yet seeks to be well known. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them 'My time has not yet arrived.But your time is always 'now'. The world cannot hate you, it hates me because I bear witness that its works are evil. You go up to the festival, I am not going up to this Festival because my time has not yet come. After he said these things he stayed in Galilee. When however his brothers went up to the festival, then he also went up; not openly but in secret. So the Jewish leaders sought him in the festival and said 'Where is that man?' And there was murmuring about him among the crowds. Some said 'He is a good man', but others said 'No he deceives the crowd.' However nobody spoke openly about him for fear of the Jewish leaders. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius

From this moment many of his disciples went back and walked with him no longer. So Jesus said to the twelve 'Surely you do not want to go away too, do you?' Simon Peter replied 'Lord, to whom would we go to? You have the words that lead to resurrection life and we have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God. ' Jesus answered him 'Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And one of you is the devil. ' He said this about Judas son of Simon Iscariot. For he was about to betray him, though one of the Twelve. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that thou art - Thou my best thought, by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Then many of his disciples hearing this said 'This saying is hard to take. Who can understand this?' Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling because of this, said to them: 'Does this cause you to stumble? So what if you see the Son of Man going up to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh achieves nothing. The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But among you are some who do not believe. (For in fact Jesus knew from the beginning some were unbelievers and as well as who would betray him.) And he went on to say 'This is why I have said "Nobody can come to me unless the Father has granted it to them."' Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart. George Herbert

Then the Jews there quarrelled with each other saying 'How can this fellow give us his flesh to eat?' So Jesus said to them : 'Truly, truly I say to you if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood then you do not have life in yourselves. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has resurrection life, I will raise them on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood stays in me and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live through the Father so the one who eats me will live through me. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, not like the bread your ancestors ate and died. The one who eats this bread will live into the resurrection age. He said these things as he taught in the synagogue in Capernaum. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me Be thou a smooth path below me Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me Today - tonight -forever Amen. St Columba

So the Jewish [who were gathered there] began to grumble about him, that he said 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.' And they said 'Is this fellow not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose mother and father we know? How can now he say "I have come down from heaven?"' Jesus replied to them 'Do not keep on grumbling among yourselves. 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them on the last day. It has been written in the prophets "And everyone will be taught by God." And everyone who hears and learns from the Father, comes to me. (Not that any one has seen the Father, except the one who is from God - that one has seen the Father.) 'Truly truly I say to you, the one who believes has resurrection life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness and yet died. This one is the bread that has come down from heaven, so that anyone may eat it and not die. 'I am the living bread who came down from heaven. If someone eats this bread they will live for ever, and the bread which I will give for the world is my flesh.' Lord God,, you feed us with the living bread from heaven; you renew our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love. Teach us to hunger for Christ who is the true and living bread, and to live by every word that comes from your mouth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hebs 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Gracious and holy Father, give me wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to fathom you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Benedict

Hebs 6 13When God was making his promise to Abraham, you see, he had nobody else greater than himself by whom he could swear, and so he swore by himself, 14with the words, ‘I will most surely bless you, and multiply you very greatly.' 15And so in this way Abraham, after much patience, obtained the promise. 16People regularly swear by someone greater than themselves, and in all their disputes the oath confirms the matter and brings it to closure. 17So when God wanted to show all the more clearly to the heirs of the promise just how unchangeable his will was, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should tell a lie, those of us who have come for refuge should have solid encouragement to take hold of the hope which lies before us. 19We have this hope like an anchor, secure, solid, and penetrating into the inner place behind the curtain, 20where Jesus has gone in ahead of us and on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Grant, Lord, that we may hold to you without parting, worship you without wearying, serve you without failing; faithfully seek you, happily find you, and forever possess you, the only God,blessed now and for ever. St Anselm

Hebs 4 14Well, then, since we have a great high priest who has gone right through the heavens, Jesus, God's son, let us hold on firmly to our confession of faith. 15For we don't have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then come boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us at the moment when we need it. 7During the time of Jesus' earthly life, he offered up prayers and supplications, with loud shouts and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his devotion. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9When he had been made complete and perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10since he has been designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius

Hebs 4 4So we are bound to worry that some of you might seem to have missed out on God's promise of entering his rest, the promise which is still open before us. 2For we certainly had the good news announced to us, just as they did; but the word which they heard didn't do them any good, because they were not united in faith with those who heard it. 9Thus we conclude: there is still a future sabbath ‘rest' for God's people. 10Anyone who enters that ‘rest' will take a rest from their works, as God did from his. 11So, then, let's make every effort to enter that ‘rest', so that nobody should trip and fall through the same pattern of unbelief. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. O Lord God When you give to your servants to endeavour any great matter grant us to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of it, until it be thoroughly finished, which yields the true glory, through him who for the finishing of your work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. Francis Drake

Hebs 1 1In many ways and by many means God spoke in ancient times to our ancestors in the prophets; 2but at the end of these days he spoke to us in a son. He appointed this son to be heir of all things; through him, in addition, he created the worlds. 3He is the shining reflection of God's own glory, the precise expression of his own very being; he sustains all things through his powerful word. He accomplished the cleansing needed for sins, and sat down at the right of the Majesty Supreme. 4See how much greater he is than the angels: the name he was granted is finer than theirs. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me. O Love, who redeemed me, fill up in me whatever part of your love has fallen into neglect within me. O Love, O God, who first loved me, grant that with my whole heart, and with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I may love you. Gertrude the Great

Eph 6 10What else is there to say? Just this: be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power. 11Put on God's complete armour. Then you'll be able to stand firm against the devil's trickery. 12The warfare we're engaged in, you see, isn't against flesh and blood. It's against the leaders, against the authorities, against the powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places. 13For this reason, you must take up God's complete armour. Then, when wickedness grabs its moment, you'll be able to withstand, to do what needs to be done, and still to be on your feet when it's all over. 14So stand firm! Put the belt of truth round your waist; put on justice as your breastplate; 15for shoes on your feet, ready for battle, take the good news of peace. 16With it all, take the shield of faith; if you've got that, you'll be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is God's word. Prayer and peace 18Pray on every occasion in the spirit, with every type of prayer and intercession. You'll need to keep awake and alert for this, with all perseverance and intercession for all God's holy ones – 19and also for me! Please pray that God will give me his words to speak when I open my mouth, so that I can make known, loud and clear, the secret truth of the gospel. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me Be thou a smooth path below me Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me Today - tonight -forever Amen. St Columba

Eph 5 11So don't get involved in the works of darkness, which all come to nothing. Instead, expose them! 12The things they do in secret, you see, are shameful even to talk about. 13But everything becomes visible when it's exposed to the light, 14since everything that is visible is light. That's why it says: Wake up, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead! The Messiah will shine on you! 15So take special care how you conduct yourselves. Don't be unwise, but be wise. 16Make use of any opportunity you have, because these are wicked times we live in. 17So don't be foolish; rather, understand what the Lord's will is. 18And don't get drunk with wine; that way lies dissipation. Rather, be filled with the spirit! 19Speak to each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and chanting in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks for everything to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Gracious and holy Father, Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart. George Herbert

Eph 4 /5 17So this is what I want to say; I am bearing witness to it in the Lord. You must no longer behave like the Gentiles, foolish-minded as they are.25Put away lies, then. ‘Each of you, speak the truth with your neighbour,' because we are members of one another. 26‘Be angry, but don't sin'; don't let the sun go down on you while you're angry, 27and don't leave any loophole for the devil. 28The thief shouldn't steal any longer, but should rather get on with some honest manual work, so as to be able to share with people in need. 29Don't let any unwholesome words escape your lips. Instead, say whatever is good and will be useful in building people up, so that you will give grace to those who listen. 30And don't disappoint God's holy spirit – the spirit who put God's mark on you to identify you on the day of freedom. 31All bitterness and rage, all anger and yelling, and all blasphemy – put it all away from you, with all wickedness. 32Instead, be kind to one another, cherish tender feelings for each other, forgive one another, just as God forgave you in the king. 5So you should be imitators of God, like dear children. 2Conduct yourselves in love, just as the Messiah loved us, and gave himself for us, as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Gracious and holy Father, give me wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to fathom you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Benedict

Ephesians 3:14-21 14Because of this, I am kneeling down before the father, 15the one who gives the name of ‘family' to every family that there is, in heaven and on earth. 16My prayer is this: that he will lay out all the riches of his glory to give you strength and power, through his spirit, in your inner being; 17that the king may make his home in your hearts, through faith; that love may be your root, your firm foundation; 18and that you may be strong enough (with all God's holy ones) to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the king's love – though actually it's so deep that nobody can really know it! So may God fill you with all his fullness. 20So: to the one who is capable of doing far, far more than we can ask or imagine, granted the power which is working in us – 21to him be glory, in the church, and in King Jesus, to all generations, and to the ages of ages! Amen! The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me. O Love, who redeemed me, fill up in me whatever part of your love has fallen into neglect within me. O Love, O God, who first loved me, grant that with my whole heart, and with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I may love you. Gertrude the Great

Ephesians 1 3Let us bless God, the father of our Lord Jesus, the king! He has blessed us in the king with every spirit-inspired blessing in the heavenly realm. The choice and the plan 4He chose us in him before the world was made, so as to be holy and irreproachable before him in love. 5He foreordained us for himself, to be adopted as sons and daughters through Jesus the king. That's how he wanted it, and that's what gave him delight, 6so that the glory of his grace, the grace he poured on us in his beloved one, might receive its due praise. 7In the king, and through his blood, we have deliverance – that is, our sins have been forgiven – through the wealth of his grace 8which he lavished on us. Yes, with all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the secret of his purpose, just as he wanted it to be and set it forward in him 10as a blueprint for when the time was ripe. His plan was to sum up the whole The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Open my eyes to your presence Open my ears to your call Open my heart to you love May I open my arms to others May I open my heart to strangers May I open my door to callers That I may be open you you Lord Open this day and for evermore

Gal 5 16Let me say this to you: live by the spirit, and you won't do what the flesh wants you to. 17For the flesh wants to go against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you can't do what you want. 18But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are such things as fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, bursts of rage, selfish ambition, factiousness, divisions, 21moods of envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I told you before, and I tell you again: people who do such things will not inherit God's kingdom. Fruit of the spirit 22But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, great-heartedness, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. There is no law that opposes things like that! 24And those who belong to the Messiah, Jesus, crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the spirit, let's line up with the spirit. 26We shouldn't be conceited, vying with one another and jealous of each other. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius

Gal 5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is required to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Lord, make me and instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy, For your mercy and for your truth's sake. Amen

Galatians 3 /4 6 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is under age, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were under age, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba,[c] Father.' 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Thank you, dear Jesus, for all you have given me, for all you have taken away from me, for all you have left me. Thomas More (c.1478-1535)

Galatians 3 3You witless Galatians! Who has bewitched you? King Jesus was portrayed on the cross before your very eyes! 2There's just one thing I want to know from you. Did you receive the spirit by doing the works of Torah, or by hearing and believing? 3You are so witless: you began with the spirit, and now you're ending with the flesh? 4Did you really suffer so much for nothing – if indeed it is going to be for nothing? 5The one who gives you the spirit and performs powerful deeds among you – does he do this through your performance of Torah, or through hearing and believing? 10Because, you see, those who belong to the ‘works-of-the-law' camp are under a curse! Yes, that's what the Bible says: ‘Cursed is everyone who doesn't stick fast by everything written in the book of the law, to perform it.' 11But, because nobody is justified before God in the law, it's clear that ‘the righteous shall live by faith'. 12The law, however, is not by faith: rather, ‘the one who does them shall live in them'. 13The Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse on our behalf, as the Bible says: ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.' 14This was so that the blessing of Abraham could flow through to the nations in King Jesus – and so that we might receive the promise of the spirit, through faith. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Grant, Lord, that we may hold to you without parting, worship you without wearying, serve you without failing; faithfully seek you, happily find you, and forever possess you, the only God, blessed now and for ever. St Anselm

Galatians 3 15We are Jews by birth, not ‘Gentile sinners'. 16But we know that a person is not declared ‘righteous' by works of the Jewish law, but through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah. That is why we too believed in the Messiah, Jesus: so that we might be declared ‘righteous' on the basis of the Messiah's faithfulness, and not on the basis of works of the Jewish law. On that basis, you see, no creature will be declared ‘righteous'. 17Well, then; if, in seeking to be declared ‘righteous' in the Messiah, we ourselves are found to be ‘sinners', does that make the Messiah an agent of ‘sin'? Certainly not! 18If I build up once more the things which I tore down, I demonstrate that I am a lawbreaker. 19Let me explain it like this. Through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with the Messiah. 20I am, however, alive – but it isn't me any longer, it's the Messiah who lives in me. And the life I do still live in the flesh, I live within the faithfulness of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I don't set aside God's grace. If ‘righteousness' comes through the law, then the Messiah died for nothing. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual[b] worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.[d] NRSV Lord, make me and instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy, For your mercy and for your truth's sake. Amen

Romans 8 :12-17 12So then, my dear family, we are in debt – but not to human flesh, to live our life in that way. 13If you live in accordance with the flesh, you will die; but if, by the spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14All who are led by the spirit of God, you see, are God's children. 15You didn't receive a spirit of slavery, did you, to go back again into a state of fear? But you received the spirit of sonship, in whom we call out ‘Abba, father!' 16When that happens, it is the spirit itself giving supporting witness to what our own spirit is saying, that we are God's children. 17And if we're children, we are also heirs: heirs of God, and fellow heirs with the Messiah, as long as we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Gracious and holy Father, give me wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to fathom you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Benedict

Romans 5:1-11 5The result is this: since we have been declared ‘in the right' on the basis of faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus the Messiah. 2Through him we have been allowed to approach, by faith, into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate the hope of the glory of God. 3That's not all. We also celebrate in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patience, 4patience produces a well-formed character, and a character like that produces hope. 5Hope, in its turn, does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the holy spirit who has been given to us. Jesus' death reveals God's love and guarantees final salvation 6This is all based on what the Messiah did: while we were still weak, at that very moment he died on behalf of the ungodly. 7It's a rare thing to find someone who will die on behalf of an upright person – though I suppose someone might be brave enough to die for a good person. 8But this is how God demonstrates his own love for us: the Messiah died for us while we were still sinners. 9How much more, in that case – since we have been declared to be in the right by his blood – are we going to be saved by him from God's coming anger! 10When we were enemies, you see, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son; if that's so, how much more, having already been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11And that's not all. We even celebrate in God, through our Lord Jesus The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart. George Herbert

Romans 3:21-26 21But now, quite apart from the law (though the law and the prophets bore witness to it), God's covenant justice has been displayed. 22God's covenant justice comes into operation through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah, for the benefit of all who have faith. For there is no distinction: 23all sinned, and fell short of God's glory – 24and by God's grace they are freely declared to be in the right, to be members of the covenant, through the redemption which is found in the Messiah, Jesus .25God put Jesus forth as the place of mercy, through faithfulness, by means of his blood. He did this to demonstrate his covenant justice, because of the passing over (in divine forbearance) of sins committed beforehand. 26This was to demonstrate his covenant justice in the present time: that is, that he himself is in the right, and that he declares to be in the right everyone who trusts in the faithfulness of Jesus. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart.

Romans 2:1-11 So you have no excuse – anyone, whoever you are, who sits in judgment! When you judge someone else, you condemn yourself, because you, who are behaving as a judge, are doing the same things. 2God's judgment falls, we know, in accordance with the truth, on those who do such things. 3But if you judge those who do them and yet do them yourself, do you really suppose that you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you despise the riches of God's kindness, forbearance and patience? Don't you know that God's kindness is meant to bring you to repentance? 5But by your hard, unrepentant heart you are building up a store of anger for yourself on the day of anger, the day when God's just judgment will be unveiled – 6the God who will ‘repay everyone according to their works'. 7When people patiently do what is good, and so pursue the quest for glory and honour and immortality, God will give them the life of the age to come. 8But when people act out of selfish desire, and do not obey the truth, but instead obey injustice, there will be anger and fury. 9There will be trouble and distress for every single person who does what is wicked, the Jew first and also, equally, the Greek – 10and there will be glory, honour and peace for everyone who does what is good, the Jew first and also, equally, the Greek. 11God, you see, shows no partiality. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Lord, because you have made me, I owe you the whole of my love; because you have redeemed me, I owe you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much, I owe you my whole being. I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of your love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love. Amen. Anselm

Acts 15 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.' 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles should hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.' The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, The LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace. Amen.

Acts 10 9 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.' The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 2 34 Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius

Acts 10 9The next day, as they were on their journey and getting near the town, Peter went up onto the roof of the house to pray. It was around midday; 10he was hungry, and asked for something to eat. While they were preparing it, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened, and a vessel like a great sail coming down towards the earth, suspended by its four corners. 12In the sail there was every kind of four-footed creature, reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then he heard a voice: ‘Get up, Peter!' said the voice. ‘Kill and eat!' 14‘Certainly not, Master!' said Peter. ‘I've never eaten anything common or unclean!' 15‘What God has made clean,' said the voice, coming now for a second time, ‘you must not regard as common.' 16This all happened three times, and then suddenly the sail was whisked back up to heaven. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me. O Love, who redeemed me, fill up in me whatever part of your love has fallen into neglect within me. O Love, O God, who first loved me, grant that with my whole heart, and with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I may love you. Gertrude the Great

Acts 9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats and murder on the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and requested from him official letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that he could find people who belonged to the Way, men and women alike, tie them up and bring them back to Jerusalem. 3While he was on the journey, and was getting near to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4He fell on the ground and heard a voice speaking to him. ‘Saul, Saul!' said the voice. ‘Why are you persecuting me?' 5‘Who are you, Lord?' he asked. ‘I am Jesus,' he said, ‘and you are persecuting me. 6But get up and go into the city, and it will be told you what you have to do.' 17So Ananias set off, went into the house, and laid his hands on him. ‘Brother Saul,' he said, ‘the Lord has sent me – yes, Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – so that you may be able to see again, and receive the holy spirit.' 18At once something like scales fell off his eyes, and he was able to see. He got up and was baptized. 19He had something to eat, and regained his strength. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius

Acts 8:1-8 And Saul approved of their killing. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me Be thou a smooth path below me Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me Today - tonight -forever Amen. St Columba

Acts 4:35-36 32The company of those who believed had one heart and soul. Nobody said that they owned their property; instead, they had everything in common. 33The apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and great grace was upon all of them. 34For there was no needy person among them, since any who possessed lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sale, 35and placed it at the feet of the apostles, who then gave to each according to their need. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, to whom the apostles gave the surname ‘Barnabas' (which means ‘son of encouragement'), 37sold some land which belonged to him, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius

Acts 4:23 ff On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.' After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Grant, Lord, that we may hold to you without parting, worship you without wearying, serve you without failing; faithfully seek you, happily find you, and forever possess you, the only God,blessed now and for ever. St Anselm

Acts 4:8-13 8Peter was filled with the holy spirit. ‘Rulers of the people and elders,' he said, 9‘if the question we're being asked today is about a good deed done for a sick man, and whose power it was that rescued him, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man stands before you fit and well because of the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. 11He is the stone which you builders rejected, but which has become the head cornerstone. 12Rescue won't come from anybody else! There is no other name given under heaven and among humans by which we must be rescued.' The clash of loyalties 13When they saw how boldly Peter and John were speaking, and realized that they were untrained, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they recognized them as people who had been with Jesus. 14And when they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15They ordered them to be put out of the assembly while they conferred among themselves. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Goldingay, John. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Thank you, dear Jesus, for all you have given me, for all you have taken away from me, for all you have left me. Thomas More (c.1478-1535)

Acts 3:1-8a One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.' Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Lord, make me and instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy, For your mercy and for your truth's sake. Amen

Acts 2:42-47 New International Version - UK They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Open my eyes to your presence Open my ears to your call Open my heart to you love May I open my arms to others May I open my heart to strangers May I open my door to callers That I may be open you you Lord Open this day and for evermore

Hebs 12:18-24 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.' The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.' But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Grant, Lord, that we may hold to you without parting, worship you without wearying, serve you without failing; faithfully seek you, happily find you, and forever possess you, the only God,blessed now and for ever. St Anselm

Hebrews 9:23-28 23That's why it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly objects to be purified in this way, while the heavenly things themselves require better sacrifices than these. 24For the Messiah did not enter into a sanctuary made by human hands, the copy and pattern of the heavenly one, but into the heavenly one itself, where he now appears in God's presence on our behalf. 25Nor did he intend to offer himself over and over again, in the same way as the high priest goes into the sanctuary year after year with blood that isn't his own. 26Had that been the case, he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. Instead, he has appeared once, at the close of the ages, to put away sin by the sacrifice of his own self. 27Furthermore, just as it is laid down that humans have to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28so the Messiah, having been offered once and for all to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time. This will no longer have anything to do with sin. It will be in order to save those who are eagerly awaiting him. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. Hasten, O Lord, the coming of the Messiah, the shoot of your servant David. Through your salvation his kingdom will be restored and peace will flourish. O God of Heaven, grant us your salvation. Jewish Prayer from the Amidah

Hebrews 9:11-14 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, so obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Lord, you have given me so much, I ask for one more thing - a grateful heart. George Herbert

1 John 5:9-13 We accept human testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me. O Love, who redeemed me, fill up in me whatever part of your love has fallen into neglect within me. O Love, O God, who first loved me, grant that with my whole heart, and with my whole soul, and with my whole strength, I may love you. Gertrude the Great

John 17:20-24 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O Lord Jesus Christ, stay beside me to defend me, within me to guide me, before me to lead me, and above me to bless me, that with you and in you, I may live, and move and have my being, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 10:1-25 19So then, my brothers and sisters, we have boldness to go into the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus. 20He has inaugurated a brand new, living path through the curtain (that is, his earthly body). 21We have a high priest who is over God's house. 22Let us therefore come to worship, with a true heart, in complete assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold on tightly to our confession of hope, without being diverted; the one who announced the message to us is trustworthy! 24Let us, as well, stir up one another's minds to energetic effort in love and good works. 25We mustn't do what some people have got into the habit of doing, neglecting to meet together. Instead, we must encourage one another, and all the more as you can see the great day coming closer. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. . Gracious and holy Father, give me wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to fathom you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Benedict

Luke 24:44-53New International Version 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” The Ascension of Jesus 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you,The LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace. Amen.

Luke 24:44-53 New International Version 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” The Ascension of Jesus 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. O Lord God When you give to your servants to endeavour any great matter grant us to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of it, until it be thoroughly finished, which yields the true glory, through him who for the finishing of your work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. Francis Drake

John 15 26‘When the helper comes – the one I shall send you from the father, the spirit of truth who comes from the father – he will give evidence about me. 27And you will give evidence as well, because you have been with me from the start.' John 16 12‘There are many things I still have to say to you,' Jesus continued, ‘but you're not yet strong enough to take them. 13When the spirit of truth comes, though, he will guide you in all the truth. He won't speak on his own account, you see, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will announce to you what's to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what belongs to me and will announce it to you. The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire you with our whole heart; that so desiring, we may seek and find you; and so finding, may love you; and so loving, may hate those sins from which you have delivered us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Anselm

John 15:1-4 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth, in a serious seeking after you, and in an affectionate walking with you, every day of our lives; that when you come, we may be found not hiding our talent, nor serving the flesh, nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished, but waiting and longing for our Lord, our glorious God for ever. Amen.

John 14:5-11 New International Version - UK Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.' Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.' Jesus answered: ‘Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Gracious and holy Father, give me wisdom to perceive you, intelligence to fathom you, patience to wait for you, eyes to behold you, a heart to meditate upon you, and a life to proclaim you, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Benedict

Matthew 28:16-20 16So the eleven disciples went off to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had instructed them to go. 17There they saw him, and worshipped him, though some hesitated. 18Jesus came towards them and addressed them. ‘All authority in heaven and on earth', he said, ‘has been given to me! 19So you must go and make all the nations into disciples. Baptize them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit. 20Teach them to observe everything I have commanded you. And look: I am with you, every single day, to the very end of the age.' The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation . SPCK. Kindle Edition. O Lord God When you give to your servants to endeavour any great matter grant us to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of it, until it be thoroughly finished, which yields the true glory, through him who for the finishing of your work laid down his life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen. St Francis Drake

1 Peter 2:2-8 New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner', and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do thy will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen St Ignatius