Morning Prayer
O God my Father, help me all through this day so to live that I may bring help to others,
credit to myself and to the name I bear,
and joy to those who love me, and to you.
Help me to be, Cheerful when things go wrong,
Perservering when things are difficult,
Serene when things are irritating.
Enable me to be, Helpful to those in difficulties;
Kind to those in need;
Sympathetic to those whose hearts are sore and sad.
Grant that, Nothing may make me lose my temper, take away my joy,
ruffle my peace, and Nothing to make me bitter towards anyone.
So grant that all through this day all with whom I work, and meet, may see the reflection of the Master, who I belong and seek to serve.
This I ask in your love for me.
Amen
MATTHEW CHAPTER 9 VERSES 10 -13
As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax collection booth.
"Come, be my disciple", Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.
That night Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners.
The Pharisees were indignant. " Why does your teacher eat with such people"? they asked his disciples.
When he heard this, Jesus replied, " Healthy people don't need a doctor - sick people do." Then he added, " Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture:
I want you to be merciful; I don't want your sacrifices."
For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough."
Evening Prayer
Eternal God, this night I thank you for your good hand upon me through this day.
I thank you that you have enabled me to do my work, earn a living for myself and those I love.
I thank you fo the voice within me, when I was tempted to do wrong, and for the grace which kept me right.
I thank you for your protecting power, which has brought me to the safety of this evening hour.
Forgive me if I have failed a friend, hurt a loved one, shamed myself, and grieved You.
Forgive me if I have been slack in duty to others, or careless in remembering You.
And now grant me to sleep in peace, and wake in strength: through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amen