Morning Prayer and Worship

Today is my wife Olivia and I’s 26th wedding anniversary! I am so thankful for the incredible gift of her. Her name means, “Gracious Bringer of Peace” and that is what she has brought to me from the beginning. Join me in thanking the Lord for her and enter into Morning Prayer and Worship today! Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! It’s Thursday of Ordinary...

There’s so much noise and so much distraction in our world today. One of the main culprits lives on our phones: social media feeds. If you are burdened with all that you are bombarded with, come pray with us and we will seek the Lord for help! Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! It’s Wednesday of Ordinary Time, Proper 13 in the Church Calendar. August 7, 2...

As we celebrate the Transfiguration today, I’m drawn to the cloud that surrounds them all at the end of the story. Just like when Jesus was baptized, the Father speaks to them all. He declares again that Jesus is His Son…but this time He says, “Listen to Him.” After hearing such a dramatic command, the disciples, as well as you and me, would do well to listen to Him. And oh the joy it brings. Let’...

Our Psalm for today uses the common Old Testament phrase, “Show the light of your countenance.” In fact, it says that if the Lord shows the light of HIs countenance we will be saved. Just showing HIs face, in all its beauty and glory and light, changes circumstances and outcomes. We don’t see faces as much these days. Sure, we see staged and intentional profile pics, but there’s something about se...

Daily we come before Jesus. Daily we set aside this time that is holy. To listen. To pray. To declare. To hope. To heal. Come all who are weary. Come into His presence. Join us for Morning Prayer and Worship. Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! It’s Friday of Ordinary Time, Proper 12 in the Church Calendar. August 2, 2024. Our general order and lectionary...

This old U2 song based on Psalm 40 is so fun to sing and play. If you’ve never heard them end their concerts with it — to this day — you’re missing out. Head to YouTube now . They slowly fade out and thousands upon thousands of people continue to sing, “How long to sing this song?” and “I will sing, sing a new song.” Believers, unbelievers, every part of the world. It feels in those moments like a...

It’s easy to grow weary of praying. We know it’s powerful and leads to so many good things, but in the back of our minds we can hear that little voice saying, “Nobody’s listening.” That’s why I think something like the Daily Office, a regular practice, is so helpful. Just putting one foot in front of the other — one word after another — can keep us going until we come into that new season of renew...

Praying today for those who feel forgotten. He never, ever forgets about us. But, it sure can feel that way. One of my favorite phrases in the Psalms comes from today’s Psalm — 62: “For God alone my soul in silence waits.” When I feel forgotten, I long to remember and meditate upon and live this truth. Let’s do that today on Morning Prayer and Worship. Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a mon...

Today in our Psalm we get this language that appears throughout the Psalms: “You give them drink from the river of Your delights.” It’s so beautiful and profound. But, I must admit that I sometimes wonder if I haven’t experienced it. There’s a “River of His delights”? Where can I find it? Because I want to. So much of life is mundane. And I believe we find the Lord and meaning in the mundane, day-...

Love this song from Elevation Worship, “Do It Again.” The idea of remembering the works and faithfulness of the Lord is powerful. Over and over in the Psalms, we are encouraged to remember what the Lord has done. Elsewhere it asks Him to, “Renew them in our day.” Let’s remember today in Morning Prayer and ask Him to move yet again. We’ll see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Get...

I’m struck by Jesus’s words every time I hear them again — how He came not to be served but to serve…to lay His life down as a ransom for many. To lay down His life. He doesn’t stop there, though. He invites us into it. Saying that if we do lay down our lives, we will finally find them. Take the leap before you find your footing. Lose to find. What a calling, what a Kingdom, what a life. Today on...

It’s hard to hear today’s Gospel reading where they are flinging accusations at Jesus and not say, “Speak up, Jesus! Tell them you are innocent!” It is such an affront to see someone wrongly accused or, even more, to be wrongly accused yourself. I am so comforted by this story. That Jesus (and us!) can rest in the knowledge that our Father knows, our Father sees, and He will make it all right in t...

“Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,” the prophet says. He goes on to talk about receiving beauty in exchange for ashes. Trading old for new. We are part of a story that always redeems, always makes new, and always brings Spring after especially hard winters. We’re praying for that and so much more today on Morning Prayer and Worship. Set aside a few minutes and experience th...

Paul speaks of peace that passes understanding. The thing is, if you understand it — you don’t have it. This peace moves into the deepest part of who we are, beyond the limits of what we can understand or control. Let’s seek and pray for that peace that comes from Jesus, through the Holy Spirit today! Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! Celebrating the lif...

*Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.* If you are waiting on the Lord, you are in a good place. Oh, it can be frustrating and full of not understanding, but it is in that place that we can receive. We are not just going on our way. We are put in a posture of receiving. I sure want to receive. More. Help me take courage as I wait on You, Lord.  Get an ad-free fe...

There’s a reason Psalm 37:4 is so famous. I mean, who doesn’t want to hear about getting the desires of your heart? I think that’s amazing. Even when someone doesn’t understand the context or even the implications of this verse. I love even more that it doesn’t talk about duty or obedience (though those are important!). It says to delight yourself in the Lord. Have fun with Him. Don’t take yoursel...

Sometimes, the Lord brings us to a place where our only hope is Him. Even though we try to avoid it at all costs and try to hedge our bets with lots of options, it’s a profound place where we meet our Father. I think of one of my favorite movies, Star Wars (really any and all Star Wars — I celebrate it all lol) where Princess Leia sends a message to Obi-Wan Kenobi that says, “You’re our only hope....

There’s so much talk of looking at the Lord in the Psalms. Striking phrases. Psalm 26: “For you love is before my eyes.” Beautiful. I can’t look away from You Lord. You are glorious and powerful and yet accessible and approachable…just what is it about You? Let’s have this heart as we enter into this time of prayer and worship! Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any...

What does it mean, “The paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness”? (From today’s Psalm) First, it’s beautifully poetic. The beauty of walking along a path that’s actually made of love and faithfulness is amazing. But, beyond that, it’s assurance that when we follow the Lord we are walking a path that results in good. Not hate and turmoil, but love. Not straying and disappointment, but faithfuln...

I love the end of Psalm 17 from today’s reading: “…when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.” It reminds me of a favorite book title, “They Became What They Beheld.” The more I behold Jesus—the more I gaze on Him, think on Him, consider Him and His ways, the more like Him I will be. And that’s my goal…more of His kindness, goodness, faithfulness, compassion…and on and on. Let’s...

Oh, what a heritage we have as followers of Jesus. I love when we get to “feast days” in the church calendar because I get to learn a little bit more about a hero of our faith. When I first started praying the Daily Office, I hadn’t heard of most of the “Saints” that showed up on the calendar. So, before I would begin, I would look them up and read their stories. And wow. Such amazing, sacrificial...

A person has to be so enamored of someone else that they would write an epic poem to all their rules??!! Every time a selection from Psalm 119 comes up, I’m in awe, really, that David would write a love song to God’s law. He is so taken and captivated by the Lord that everything about Him and related to Him is on the table for praise and uplift. For worship. Listen to this Psalm today as you set a...

Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! It’s Tuesday of Ordinary Time, Proper 9 in the Church Calendar. July 9, 2024. Our general order and lectionary come from the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office. Welcome (00:00) Amazing Grace (John Newton, Ben Ward) (01:15) Prayer of Confession (03:43) Amazing Grace (continued) (04:19) Psalm 5 (06:02) Psalm 6 (07:48) Glor...

Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! It’s Monday of Ordinary Time, Proper 9 in the Church Calendar. July 8, 2024. Our general order and lectionary come from the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office. Welcome (00:00) God I Look to You (Jenn Johnson, Ian McIntosh) (01:02) Prayer of Confession (02:48) God I Look to You (continued) (03:29) Psalm 1 (05:26) Psalm 2...

Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount! It’s Friday of Ordinary Time, Proper 8 in the Church Calendar. July 5, 2024. Our general order and lectionary come from the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office. Welcome (00:00) Counting On (John Mark McMillan) (01:01) Prayer of Confession (02:23) Counting On (continued) (02:55) Psalm 140 (05:15) Psalm 142 (06:52) Glory to...