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 As We Ought--July 5, 2010


I. Readings
Psalms 62, 145, 73, 9
Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27
Romans 8:26-30
Matthew 23:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
      I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Numbers 32:24
“…Build towns for your little ones, and folds for your flocks; but do what you have promised.” [Moses to the Gadites and Reubenites]

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

Matthew 23:5
“…They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. … ” [Jesus to the crowds and to his disciples]

III. Meditation

God, make us truly thankful, thankful with our whole
heart, so that when we tell of your wonderful deeds
we are not merely calling attention to our own
deeds, broad phylacteries, and long fringes.

When we build towns for our little ones and folds for
our flocks, remind us what we have promised you.
Let your Spirit intercede in our weakness, for
we do not know how to pray as we ought.
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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