As God Is Gracious and Merciful--Sept. 20, 2021

[From Sept. 23, 2013 archive]

 

As you have been gracious and merciful to us,

O God, so you call us to show grace and mercy to others. 

 

Teach us how to give without expecting a reward, 

to bless when reviled, and to speak kindly when slandered. 

 

Give us the strength to endure when persecuted--

even strength to seek reconciliation with our persecutors.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 57; 145; 85; 47 

2 Kings 5:1-19 

1 Cor. 4:8-21 

Matt. 5:21-26 

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 145:8 

The LORD is gracious and merciful, 
          slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

 

2 Kings 5:16 

But [Elisha] said, “As the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will accept nothing!”  [Naaman] urged him to accept, but he refused. 

 

1 Cor. 4:12b-13a 

When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly. 

 

Matt. 5:24 

“…leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.  …”  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]