Invitation — Psalm 67:4
"May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 140:1-3, 6-8, 12-13
Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from the violent,
who devise evil plans in their hearts
and stir up war every day.
They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's;
the poison of vipers is on their lips...
I say to the Lord, "You are my God."
Hear, Lord, my cry for mercy.
Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer,
you shield my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant the wicked their desires, Lord;
do not let their plans succeed...
I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence.
Bible Reading — Daniel 1:3-7, 17-18, 20
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility — young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.
Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego...
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar... In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for growth in holiness
- for God to uncover the idols of our hearts
- for God's forgiveness, and for the readiness to extend it to others
Prayer — HC 124
Lord God, I get whiny when I find myself in places I didn't choose and with people I'd rather not be. Help me to obey your summons, carrying out the work you've called me to, willingly and faithfully, wherever I am found, wherever your mission leads me. In Christ's name, amen.
Blessing — Psalm 67:1-2
"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us — so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations."