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.

To Pray for Those in Prison--Oct. 4, 2015


Look favorably upon your people, O God,
that with a whole heart we may bless your holy name
and walk with faithfulness before you
and do what is good in your sight
and pray fervently for those in prison.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139
2 Kings 20:1-21
Acts 12:1-17
Luke 7:11-17

Selected Verses
Ps. 103:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
          and all that is within me,
          bless his holy name. 

2 Kings 20:2-3
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD: “Remember now, O LORD, I implore you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” 

Acts 12:5
While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

Luke 7:16
Fear seized all of [the people who had seen Jesus raise the dead man]; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” 
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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