And one seraph called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ Isaiah 6:3
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29As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ 38He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
40A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ 41Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ 42Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, 44saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ 45But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
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A period of silence may be kept.
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In this week’s Gospel readings, Jesus is more than busy. He heals people, spars with the Pharisees, forgives sins, teaches about God’s grace, calls disciples, and deals with family. Socially, emotionally, professionally, and spiritually, Jesus has given 100%. His tank must have been empty.
To refuel, Jesus gets up early and takes a walk away from it all. In that space, he reconnects with the source of his heart—God. This is what true prayer is: drawing close to the absolute loving power of the Almighty God who created the universe. It is not about performance for God. It is about an intimate connection that gives us power and direction to do God’s work in the world.
We do not hear Jesus’ prayer because prayer is an intimate act. What we do know is that after Jesus prays, there’s an automatic recharge. The disciples find him with renewed energy; he is ready to go.
In redefining prayer as reconnection with a God who knows me deeper than words, prayer has become the most tranquil, amiable silence, full of emotion and loud with meaning. This non-performative prayer puts me in the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, who gives me the strength to say, “Let’s go! I’ve got God’s work to do.”
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Thorunn McCoy
mccoythorunn@gmail.com
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Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.
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St. B’s Cycle of Prayer
- For the architects, drafters, urban planners, and surveyors in our St. B’s family
- For the St. B’s ministries of Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
For the work of restoration and healing through ministries and partnerships that promote outreach, mercy, and justice, particularly by Thistle Farms Residential Program, and those who receive their love in action
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The Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee Cycle of Prayer
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The Diocesan Cycle of Prayer is a way to intentionally remember churches, groups, and individuals across the Diocese of Tennessee through prayer.
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This week, pray for St. Mary’s Retreat Center, Sewanee & St. Mary’s Convent, Sewanee
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The Anglican Cycle of Prayer
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The Anglican Cycle of Prayer unites the worldwide Anglican Communion in praying, on the same day, for particular dioceses.
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Today, pray for the Diocese of New Jersey – The Episcopal Church
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The Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer
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The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle of the World Council of Churches prays for every region of the world and its people over the course of a year.
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This week, pray for Eritrea, Ethiopia
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The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for the Week
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers for the Week
Prayer of St Dionysius (818)
O God Eternal, good beyond all that is good, fair beyond all that is fair, in whom is calmness and peace: reconcile the differences which divide us from one another and bring us back into the unity of love which may bear some likeness to your divine nature. Grant that we may be spiritually one, both within ourselves and with one another, through the grace, mercy, and tenderness of your son, Jesus Christ.
[A Chain of Prayer across the Ages, comp. Selina Fitzherbert Fox, John Murray, London, UK, 6th ed., 1941.]
Prayer from Eritrea
Thank you, dear Jesus, for being a good shepherd to all believers. When we are lost from your flock, you never sleep until you bring us back, and there is rejoicing in heaven and on earth. Our daily shepherd, our defender, our protector, thank you for keeping us from all evil, from fearful, harmful things, and for preserving us from all unbelief. In your name we pray.
[© 2005 Ghirmaleoul Nemariam.]
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