Let Your Work Be Manifest, O God--Dec. 7, 2013

 God, help us to understand that the whole world

belongs to you (and that includes the emperor),

and our lives are gifts from you, to be returned.

Make manifest your justice and righteousness,

that we may become more just and righteous

and that our children may know your power.

May we build ourselves up in the holy faith,

praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves

in your love and in the mercy of Jesus Christ.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 90; 149; 80; 72

Amos 5:18-27

Jude 17-25

Matt. 22:15-22

Selected Verses

Ps. 90:16

Let your work be manifest to your servants,
          and your glorious power to their children.

Amos 5:24

But let justice roll down like waters,

            and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Jude 20-21

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Matt. 22:21

[The Pharisees' disciples and Herodians] answered, "The emperor's." Then [Jesus] said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."