Seeking God's Face is a daily, contemplative devotional — rooted in the ancient traditions of the Divine Office and "lectio divina" — guiding you to renewed communion with God through sacred Scripture and universal prayer.

August 15, 2024

— Ordinary Time • Week 13 • Day 5

Invitation Psalm 106:1

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Quiet

Bible Song Psalm 49:1-2, 5-10, 15

Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,

both low and high,
rich and poor alike...

Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me —

those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?

No one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them —

the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough —

so that they should live on forever
and not see decay.

For all can see that the wise die,
that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
leaving their wealth to others...

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.

Bible Reading Exodus 14:15-22

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen."

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Quiet

Dwelling

Become aware of God's loving presence and read again ... what in God's Word has caught your heart's attention? Is there a command to be obeyed, a comfort to be savored? Talk to God about the Scripture you've just read ... yield yourself to God and enjoy his presence.

Free Prayer

  • for spiritual renewal
  • for deep repentance
  • for a winsome witness and a readiness to give the reason for the hope within us

Prayer BC 34

Baptizing God, immerse me in Jesus Christ, my Red Sea, the way from slavery to freedom. Plunge me into his grace, to soak up his sacrifice and be washed clean; steep me in his mercy, drowning out whatever is ugly, decaying, and less than human. Raise me up drenched, dripping, and resurrected with him. Amen.

Blessing Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."