Monday Evening Devotion

Psalm 106:19-32

They made a calf in Horeb *

 and worshipped the molten image.

  Thus they turned their glory *

 into the similitude of a calf that eateth hay.

  And they forgat God their Saviour *

 who had done so great things in Egypt;

  Wondrous works in the land of Ham *

 and fearful things by the Red sea.

  So he said, he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the gap *

 to turn away his wrathful indignation, lest he should destroy them.

  Yea, they thought scorn of that pleasant land *

 and gave no credence unto his word;

  But murmured in their tents *

 and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

  Then lift he up his hand against them *

 to overthrow them in the wilderness;

  To cast out their seed among the nations *

 and to scatter them in the lands.

  They joined themselves unto Baalpeor *

 and ate the offerings of the dead.

  Thus they provoked him to anger with their own inventions *

 and the plague was great among them.

  Then stood up Phinees and prayed *

 and so the plague ceased.

  And that was counted unto him for righteousness *

 among all posterities for evermore.

  They angered him also at the waters of strife *

 so that he punished Moses for their sakes;

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1)

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

(Translation: Authorized Version)

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle

Magna et mirabilia

Revelation 15:3-4

Great and marvellous are thy works, *
    Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are thy ways, *
    Thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy Name? *
    For thou only art holy:
For all nations shall come and worship before thee; *
    for thy judgments are made manifest.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, *
    and to the Holy Ghost:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, *
    world without end. Amen. 

(Source: Anglican Service Book)

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 Peace

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of all enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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