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.


What We Ask For--May 12, 2011


Though proffered the third rank in the kingdom,
Daniel told the king he wanted no reward from him.

When Jesus called poor fishermen, who knew nothing
of a reward, they left everything they had and followed him.

If we but have the boldness to ask of you anything
according to your will, you promise to hear us.

O God, blessed be your name; our request is this:
daily bear us up, for you are our salvation.



Lectionary Readings
Ps. 47; 147:12-20; 68; 113
Dan. 5:13-30
1 John 5:13-21
Luke 5:1-11

Selected Verses
Ps. 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
      who daily bears us up;
      God is our salvation.

Dan. 5:17a
Then Daniel answered in the presence of the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else! …”

1 John 5:14
And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Luke 5:1-11
When [Simon, James, and John] had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed [Jesus].
Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

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