In the World--May 3, 2011

You have placed us in the world,
and in the world we will stay
until you take us out of it.

While we are in the world
protect us from the evil one,
lest we find ourselves walking
through darkness, hating one another;

and dreaming such dreams
that our spirits are troubled
and our sleep will leave us;

accusing everyone of lies,
and being greatly afflicted.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 98; 146; 66; 116
Dan. 2:1-16
1 John 2:1-11
John 17:12-19

Selected Verses
Ps. 116:10-11
I kept my faith, even when I said,
      “I am greatly afflicted”;
I said in my consternation,
      “Everyone is a liar.”

Dan. 2:1
In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed such dreams that his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him.

1 John 2:11
But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.

John 17:15
“…I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. …” [Jesus praying for his disciples]