St Barnabas, Apostle
Morning Prayer: Festivals
Holy One, open our lips: and we shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Fridays: FROM Psalm 146, Lauda, anima mea
Hal-lelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul! *
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
For their hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps promises for ever;
who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
food to those who hunger and sets the prisoners free.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind! *
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down and loves the righteous.
The Lord cares for the stranger *
and sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.
The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!
READING 1: Sirach 31:3–11
The rich person toils to amass a fortune,
and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties.
The poor person toils to make a meagre living,
and if ever he rests he becomes needy.
One who loves gold will not be justified;
one who pursues money will be led astray by it.
Many have come to ruin because of gold,
and their destruction has met them face to face.
It is a stumbling-block to those who are avid for it,
and every fool will be taken captive by it.
Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless,
and who does not go after gold.
Who is he, that we may praise him?
For he has done wonders among his people.
Who has been tested by it and been found perfect?
Let it be for him a ground for boasting.
Who has had the power to transgress and did not transgress,
and to do evil and did not do it?
His prosperity will be established,
and the assembly will proclaim his acts of charity.
READING 2: Acts 4:32–37
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
PRAYERS
We have not sung of your loving kindness.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
We have not proclaimed your faithfulness to all generations.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
We have not believed your promise would be fulfilled.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Spend time gathering your own prayers before God.
FESTIVALS:
Lord Christ, reveal the presence of your Kingdom in our midst.
O God, keep watch over the gate of our lips;
may every hurt of this day be buried in your forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, show your light to the hearts
that can no longer find the road to you.
O Christ, by your life offered to God, show us the road to life.
O Christ, remain alongside all who are undergoing a night of torment,
the ill and the homeless.
O Christ, keep us from the snares of discouragement and worry.
Our eyes are turned to you, O Lord; our soul finds rest in you.
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. Do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Festivals: Living God, at times we are strangers on the earth, disconcerted by the violence, the harsh oppositions. And you breathe upon us the Spirit of peace like a gentle breeze. Transfigure the deserts of our doubts and so prepare us to be bearers of reconciliation wherever you place us, until a hope of peace arises in our world.
Merciful God, help us to follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
God most holy, we give you thanks for bringing us out of the shadow of night into the light of morning; and we ask you for the joy of spending this day in your service, so that when evening comes, we may once more give you thanks, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
The Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil; and bring us to life eternal. Amen.
Compiled with Materials from:
From SEC Daily Prayer; Jim Cotter, Lectionary Resources; Taizé A prayer for each day; GS2016 Pointed Liturgical Psalter 2016 04 08; Chris Thorpe, Touching the Sacred;
St Ternans Banchory 