Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray…
Monday, 8 January Anno Domini 2024
Ezekiel 2:1-10
And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” 2 And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. 7 And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house. 8 “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” 9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe.
In the name of the Father and the +Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. God sends prophets and preachers into a hostile world. He sends them as sheep among wolves. If we really knew what the enemy looked like and what weapons were trained on our backs like targets, we would be sore afraid. So likewise with the prophets. But, instead, the Lord trains his servants to depend upon his Word. He promises to be the stronghold of every preacher, every prophet, every Christian. The sins of man are great and the rescue of every sinner is still greater. Jesus outdoes the sins. He buys us back and pays for it with his blood. That is where we put our trust and our hope. Jesus has already overcome the victory for us. Thanks be to God. In the name of +Jesus. Amen.
You may utilize the Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families (pages 295-298) in Lutheran Service Book for your family prayers.
The Collect of the Week:
Lord, we implore You, give ear to our prayers and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You now live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for us and others:
For the pre-born, the weak, the sick, those in hospital, those in hospice, and those who cannot care for themselves;
For those who mourn;
For those who are sick;
For the teachers and staff of Our Savior Lutheran School;
For our pastors (Pastor White and Pastor Cholak);
For the elders of Our Savior Lutheran Church as they work to call an assistant pastor;
For all the shut-ins and elderly of Our Savior Lutheran Church.