The Daily Lectionary for Friday, March 31, 2023

 

The Daily Lectionary
Friday, March 31, 2023
Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 31:9-16
I commend my spirit
In te, Domine, speravi

9 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; *
    my eye is consumed with sorrow,
      and also my throat and my belly.

10 For my life is wasted with grief,
       and my years with sighing; *
     my strength fails me because of affliction,
       and my bones are consumed.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
       even to my neighbors,
         a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
     when they see me in the street they avoid me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
     I am as useless as a broken pot.

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
       fear is all around; *
     they put their heads together against me;
       they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. *
     I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; *
     rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
       and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
     and in your loving-kindness save me.”

Heavenly Father, we live in troubling times. Every nation upon the earth seems to be facing problems that appear humanly insurmountable. Yet, we know that nothing is impossible with You. We pray that You would preserve us from trouble, and protect all who trust in You. Help us to rightly understand the Scriptures, so we will know the way to go and be aware of the times in which we live. No matter what happens, we will rejoice in You with glad and holy hearts, even as we pray,

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Job 13:13-19
A servant keeps silence

13 “Keep silent and let me speak;
      then let come to me what may.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
      and take my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
      I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
      for no godless person would dare come before him!
17 Listen carefully to what I say;
      let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,
      I know I will be vindicated.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?
      If so, I will be silent and die.

Philippians 1:21-30
Seeing Christ in this life

1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Friday, March 31, 2023
Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30

The Morning Prayer for Friday, March 31, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, March 31, 2023

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20, NIV

Lord our God, we turn our faces to you and plead with you to come to us earthly and often tormented people. May we find strength in the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom redemption is promised to us all. May your kingdom at last be revealed and everything change for the better even though we do not see it yet. May we always honor your name above all others, for you are our Father and we want to hold fast to your grace that lets us call you Father. In our troubled times we want to have enduring faith that you can bring a new time when good shall at last emerge from all the distress. Grant that every broken and needy person may experience your help, your grace, and your salvation, and may know that these always surround us, if only our eyes are open to see and recognize them. So we want to thank and praise you at all times, and at last know the joy of eternity, to your glory and honor. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, March 31, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, March 31, 2023

Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all of the prophecies about the Messiah, like this one that was written hundreds of years before He was crucified. On the Cross, He willingly became our substitute. Jesus, “who had no sin…[became] sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). He was pierced and crushed because of our sin, and by His sacrifice we are healed.

Read all of Isaiah Chapter 53

Listen to Isaiah Chapter 53

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

The Lenten Prayer for Friday, March 31, 2023

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 33 — Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Most forgiving Lord, again and again you welcome me back into your loving arms. Grant me freedom from the heavy burdens of sin that weigh me down and keep me so far from you. Amen.