Monday Morning Devotion

Psalm 2

Why do the heathen so furiously rage together *

 and why do the people imagine a vain thing?

  The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together *

 against the Lord, and against his Anointed.

  Let us break their bonds asunder *

 and cast away their cords from us.

  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn *

 the Lord shall have them in derision.

  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath *

 and vex them in his sore displeasure.

  Yet have I set my King *

 upon my holy hill of Sion.

  I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me *

 Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

  Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance *

 and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.

  Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron *

 and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings *

 be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.

  Serve the Lord in fear *

 and rejoice unto him with reverence.

  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way *

 if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little,) blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(Jeremiah 36:11-26)

When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the Lord,

Then he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.

Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.

And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.

Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.

And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?

Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.

Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.

And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.

So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them.

(Translation: Authorized Version)

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle

Ecce, Deus

Isaiah 12:2-6

Behold, God is my salvation; *
    I will trust, and not be afraid:
For the Lord God is my strength and my song; *
    he also is become my salvation.
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water *
    out of the wells of salvation.
And in that day shall ye say, *
    Praise the Lord, call upon his Name,
Declare his doings among the people, *
    make mention that his name is exalted.
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: *
    this is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: *
    for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
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)

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

    maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;

    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

    born of the Virgin Mary,

    suffered under Pontius Pilate,

    was crucified, dead, and buried.

    He descended into hell.

    The third day he rose again from the dead.

    He ascended into heaven,

    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.

    From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost,

    the holy catholic Church,

    the communion of saints,

    the forgiveness of sins,

    the resurrection of the body,

    and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers for Ourselves and Neighbors

Almighty and everliving God, I pray unto Thee for thy Universal Church and all her members, past, present and yet to come:

Silence or add individual intentions here

Christ, the ruler of all the nations, I pray for the health and well-being of my nation and all the nations and leaders of the earth:

Silence or add individual intentions here

God, the Holy Ghost, I pray Thee to be poured out upon all who are sick and suffering in body, mind, or spirit, that Thy healing grace may be infused in them and in myself:

Silence or add individual intentions here

Heavenly Father, I commend unto Thee those who are departed, that they may be judged with magnanimity and see Thy Heavenly Kingdom:

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 Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, who dividest the day from the night and turnest the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep thy law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done thy will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when the night cometh, rejoice to give thee thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.