Help Us Change Our Ways--Aug. 31, 2021

[From Sept. 1, 2015 archive]

 

Lord Jesus, 

Peter told a vile lie, 

cursing and swearing 

he did not know you. 

 

We have not walked 

with integrity of heart 

and uprightness--have

uttered lies to each other. 

 

For is it not speaking with a 

double heart when we bless the 

poor and hungry, but do not provide 

for them?  You forgave Peter, who changed 

his ways.  O Jesus, pray help us to change ours.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7

1 Kings 8:65-9:9

James 2:14-26

Mark 14:66-72

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 12:2, 8 

They utter lies to each other; 
          with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.  …

On every side the wicked prowl, 
          as vileness is exalted among humankind. 

 

1 Kings 9:4 

“…As for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my ordinances…” [The LORD, to Solomon] 

 

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 

 

Mark 14:71 

But [Peter] began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.”