July 3, 2019 - DAY’S END / DAY’S BEGINNING

Day 184 - (Today’s Bible readings: 1 Kings 20:30-43; Psalm 3; Matthew 2:1-12)

“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.” (Psalm 3:5 ESV)

These words in the middle of David’s prayer for mercy and deliverance remind me of two other special prayers:

Luther’s Morning Prayer
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. (Then go joyfully to your work...)

Luther’s Evening Prayer
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen. (Then go to sleep at once and in good cheer.)

Gracious heavenly Father, may the words of the morning prayer be on my heart as I begin this new day. And when the day is over, may the words of the evening prayer send me off to a restful night. Into Your hands I do commend myself. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2019 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!