I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

Our Prayers Rise before You--Oct. 22, 2014


We thank you, Creator God,
Lord of heaven and earth;
with Christ we rejoice
in the Holy Spirit,
and our prayers
rise before you.
When our deeds of iniquity
overwhelm us, in your gracious
will forgive our transgressions.
Teach us to walk in your way
forever and ever.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 65; 147:1-11; 125; 91
Micah 3:9-4:5
Rev. 8:1-13
Luke 10:17-24

Selected Verses
Ps. 65:3
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
          you forgive our transgressions. 

Micah 4:5
For all the peoples walk,
            each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
            forever and ever.

Rev. 8:4
And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Luke 10:21
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.  …"

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