Call to Prayer
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Alleluia. Amen.
Scripture for the Day
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. . . . And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18: 1, 4)
Reflection
Paul spent 1-1/2 years in Corinth and wrote two letters to the church there. We know them as the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians. His ministry apparently prospered in Corinth, but not without dedication and discipline. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Co 9: 24-25)
For what spiritual prize do we run? With what kind of discipline, self-control, and training? Why are we running the race set out before us?
Praying for Greece
Pray today for Theo Karvounakis, dean and director of Greek Bible College. Ask God for vision to lead; wisdom to teach and mentor capably; and an abundance of faith, hope, and love.
The Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayers
Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity, and in all we do direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
