Thursday Evening Devotion

Psalm 59:1-10

Deliver me from mine enemies, O God *

 defend me from them that rise up against me.

  O deliver me from the wicked doers *

 and save me from the blood-thirsty men.

  For lo, they lie waiting for my soul *

 the mighty men are gathered against me, without any offence or fault of me, O Lord.

  They run and prepare themselves without my fault *

 arise thou therefore to help me, and behold.

  Stand up, O Lord God of hosts, thou God of Israel, to visit all the heathen *

 and be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness.

  They go to and fro in the evening *

 they grin like a dog, and run about through the city.

  Behold, they speak with their mouth, and swords are in their lips *

 for who doth hear?

  But thou, O Lord, shalt have them in derision *

 and thou shalt laugh all the heathen to scorn.

  My strength will I ascribe unto thee *

 for thou art the God of my refuge.

  God sheweth me his goodness plenteously *

 and God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(Philippians 2:12-30)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

(Translation: Authorized Version)

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory be to God on high,

    and on earth peace, good will towards men.

We praise thee, we bless thee,

    we worship thee,

    we glorify thee,

    we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,

O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

    that takest away the sins of the world,

    have mercy upon us.

Thou that takest away the sins of the world,

    receive our prayer.

Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,

    have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy,

thou only art the Lord,

thou only, O Christ,

    with the Holy Ghost,

    art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Prayers for Ourselves and Neighbors

Everlasting God, I pray for my own needs and those of others:

Silence or add individual intentions here

I confess to Almighty God that I have sinned by my own fault in thought, word, and deed, in things done and left undone; especially these sins which I have committed today:

Silence or add individual intentions here

For these and all other sins which I cannot now remember, I am truly sorry. I pray God to have mercy upon me. I firmly intend amendment of life, and I humbly beg forgiveness of God and his Church.

+May the Almighty God grant me forgiveness of all my sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Trinity, One God, Thou art the bearer of good things, grant unto me a grateful heart that I may go forth with thanksgiving for all thy blessings:

Silence or add individual intentions here

And now, I gather my all prayers in the words Thy Son hath taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

    hallowed be thy Name,

    thy kingdom come,

    thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

    as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

    but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

    for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for the Presence of Christ

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know thee as thou art revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread.  Grant this for the sake of thy love. Amen.

+The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless me and keep me. Amen.