Morning Devotions
In the parish I serve, we’ve been praying together and studying scripture texts every weekday since the pandemic changed our lives so drastically. (Monday, March 16, 2020 was our first 8:30 am Morning Prayer and Bible Study.)
We take turns leading it, and right now we are reading through the Hebrew Scriptures book of Ruth for a week, then short contiguous texts from Luke. We’ve used Prayer Book worship patterns from the Book of Common Prayer and the New Zealand Prayer Book. Our current format is based on my daily Panda Planner routine, with special prayers that I wrote to establish norms for our study of scripture together.
This approach is strange for those of us eager to walk away with some good old fashioned book learning. All of the content is within us, within our hearts. Sometimes, after we stop recording the devotions for sharing, we talk about specific background information, like what kind of power a centurion would have and how the word “feet” in the book of Ruth may have NOT been referring to a man’s feet!
All that aside, I share it here for anyone who seeks a pattern for daily worship. And if you want to see any recorded mornings or join in the time of devorions, you can find the links on the Facebook page for St. Andrew’s, Glenwood. All are welcome.
An Order for Morning Devotions and Bible Study
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Glenwood, Maryland
August & September 2020, using Zoom
Welcome
Leader: Welcome to Morning Devotions and Bible Study. As we gather to devote our day to God, I remind you to mute yourselves when we read in unison. I will ask for a few volunteers to read as we go. Our zoom gathering today will be recorded and made available to others.
Opening Sentence from Scripture
Leader: (choose one)
“Seek the One who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth.”
Amos 5:8
“Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”
Psalm 74:15-16
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14
Opening Prayer and Silent Reflection
Leader: Gracious Creator, we dedicate this day to you. It is a gift from you, and we honor all that it may offer to us - productivity, play, connection, fulfillment, solitude, observation, learning, growth, discovery, rest, and refreshment. Draw us closer to you, to one another, and to all of your beloved creation. Amen.
All, muted:
As I begin this new day with you,
Creator of the Universe,
awaken my heart to gratitude.
Silence
(Jot down two or three things for which you are grateful to God.)
Leader: Creator of the Universe, awaken our hearts to gratitude. Amen.
All, muted:
As I begin this new day with you,
Giver of Life, allow me to feel excited
about the day’s possibilities, plans, and purpose.
Silence
(Jot down two or three things about which you are excited.)
Leader: Giver of Life, give us excitement to begin this new day. Amen.
Psalm or Canticle (a little song of praise)
(Choose one. Leader may read, invite a reader, or all may read in unison, muted)
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
that I might behold your power and your glory.
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
my lips shall give you praise.
So will I bless you as long as I live *
and lift up my hands in your Name.
My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
When I remember you upon my bed, *
and meditate on you in the night watches.
For you have been my helper, *
and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
A Song of Wisdom (Wisdom 10:15-19,20b-21)
Wisdom freed from a nation of oppressors *
a holy people and a blameless race.
She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, *
withstood dread rulers with wonders and signs.
To the saints she gave the reward of their labors, *
and led them by a marvelous way;
She was their shelter by day *
and a blaze of stars by night.
She brought them across the Red Sea, *
she led them through mighty waters;
But their enemies she swallowed in the waves *
and spewed them out from the depths of the abyss.
And then, Lord, the righteous sang hymns to your Name, *
and praised with one voice your protecting hand;
For Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, *
and gave speech to the tongues of a new-born people.
A Song of Pilgrimage (Ecclesiasticus 51:13-16,20b-22)
Before I ventured forth,
even while I was very young, *
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
In the forecourts of the temple I asked for her, *
and I will seek her to the end.
From first blossom to early fruit, *
she has been the delight of my heart.
My foot has kept firmly to the true path, *
diligently from my youth have I pursued her.
I inclined my ear a little and received her; *
I found for myself much wisdom and became adept in her.
To the one who gives me wisdom will I give glory, *
for I have resolved to live according to her way.
From the beginning I gained courage from her, *
therefore I will not be forsaken.
In my inmost being I have been stirred to seek her, *
therefore have I gained a good possession.
As my reward the Almighty has given me the gift of language,*
and with it will I offer praise to God.
A Song of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:24-28)
I will take you from among all nations; *
and gather you from all lands to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *
and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.
A new heart I will give you *
and a new spirit put within you.
I will take the stone heart from your chest *
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will help you walk in my laws *
and cherish my commandments and do them.
You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God.
Prayers before studying Scripture
Reader 1: Indescribable God, we are about to study what generations of people have passed along to us out of love for you, out of love for us. We are about to explore your ways, and how you may call us to think, feel and act. We seek you in humility, knowing we will not have a perfect understanding for you and your ways, and that only you are the perfection of all that is loving, true and good. In humility, we study, reflect, and open our hearts to grow in you. Amen.
Reader 2: As we study your Word, we will encourage each other to grow in relationship with you, and to open to your many forms of wisdom that will reach each of us in various ways today. Amen.
Reader 3: As we study your Word, we will offer gentleness, safety, and confidence to one another. Remove from us any nervousness, sarcasm, bitterness, gossip, and the urge to give unsolicited advice or fix another person. Amen.
Reader 4: As we study your Word, we will listen to each other with ears, eyes and heart. Give us grace to allow for quiet, and give us wisdom to know when to speak. Amen.
Reader 5: As we study your Word, we will seek to understand you better, and to understand ourselves better. Remove from us the desire to stand in judgement of others, any residue of violence, hatred, shame, or arrogance, and fill us with compassion for ourselves and others that we may be truly accessible to your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Studying God’s Word
Bible Study Format (see separate sheet for text selection)
Read through the text one time. Allow silence. Then ask, “What one question do you have for the text or its author, characters, God?” This is a time to open to the questions, rather than to supply answers. Unmute yourself to share.
Read through the text a second time, inviting God to draw your attention to a word or phrase. Allow silence. Then ask, “What word or phrase would you like to share?” Resist the urge to explain or start conversation. Share only a word or phrase. Unmute yourself to share.
Read through the text a third time, seeking to connect the text to your life. Allow silence. Then ask, “How does this text connect to your life?” In a sentence or two, share a personal experience, a current situation, or a way the Bible text may influence you as you grow in faith. Focus your connections on yourself and your work in the world, rather than to other people, books you’ve read, or things other people have said or shared.
Prayers of Reflection
All, muted:
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I invite your Word to fill my soul, my mind and my body. Holy Spirit, direct my focus for this day.
Silence
(Jot down a focus for the day. It may be a word, image, task, phrase.)
Leader: Holy Spirit, direct our focus for this day. Amen.
All, muted:
Compassionate Healer, guide me,
moment by moment today,
In choosing your way of compassion in the midst of the day’s unfolding
in my thinking, in my speaking, in my actions.
In this day before me, I invite you
to direct my energy toward those activities and ways of being
that are most essential for the work of your kingdom
as I am called to lead and serve within it.
Silence
(Jot down two or three priorities for the day ahead.)
Leader: Compassionate Healer, thank you for entrusting these priorities to us. Give us the wisdom, energy, and strength to accomplish that which is before us today, to your glory. Amen.
Lifting our Concerns in Prayer
Leader: As we part ways and enter into this day fully, we entrust to you through the power of prayer the following concerns in our lives, communities, and world….
(Prayer requests may be shared silently or aloud.)
All, muted:
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus:
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion
to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time,
all nations and peoples may serve you in harmony
around your heavenly throne;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Daily Journal - To accompany Morning Devotions & Bible Study - Date: _______________
Today I am grateful for....
Today I am excited about....
Bible Study on ________________________
“What one question do you have for the text or its author, characters, God?”
“What word or phrase would you like to share?”
“How does this text connect to your life?”
My focus for today is…
My priorities for today are....
Prayer concerns:
