Week
of Prayer for Christian Unity January 24, 2012.
Readings
from Scripture for Day 7
1
Samuel 2:1-10 Not by might does one prevail
1 Hannah also prayed and said, "My
heart exults in the LORD; my strength is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 "There
is none holy like the LORD, there is none besides thee; there is
no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance
come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by
him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble
gird on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne
seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The LORD kills and brings
to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The LORD makes poor and
makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the
dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the
LORD'S, and on them he has set the world. 9 "He will guard the feet of
his faithful ones; but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness; for
not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall
be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The
LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his
king, and exalt the power of his anointed."
Psalms
23 You are there with Your rod and Your staff
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall
not want;
2 he makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul. He leads
me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with
me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before
me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house
of the LORD for ever.
Ephesians
6:10-20 Be strong in the Lord
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord
and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that
you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we are
not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities,
against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore
take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your
loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15
and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16
besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench
all the flaming darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times
in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert
with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also
for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim
the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that
I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
John
21:15-19 Feed my sheep
15 When they had finished breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than
these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said
to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of
John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love
you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time,
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said
to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord,
you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed
my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded
yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch
out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not
wish to go." 19 (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.)
And after this he said to him, "Follow me."
> Return to Prayer and Reflection
for Day 7: Changed
by the Good Shepherd
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