Morning Prayer

A Reading from the First Letter to Timothy.

18 I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; 20 among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all—this was attested at the right time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument;

A Reading from the Book of Proverbs.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord    than great treasure and trouble with it. 17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is    than a fatted ox and hatred with it. 18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,    but those who are slow to anger calm contention. 19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,    but the path of the upright is a level highway. 20 A wise child makes a glad father,    but the foolish despise their mothers. 21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,    but a person of understanding walks straight ahead. 22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,    but with many advisers they succeed. 23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,    and a word in season, how good it is! 24 For the wise the path of life leads upwards,    in order to avoid Sheol below. 25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,    but maintains the widow’s boundaries. 26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,    but gracious words are pure. 27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,    but those who hate bribes will live. 28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil. 29 The Lord is far from the wicked,    but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,    and good news refreshes the body. 31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition    will lodge among the wise. 32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,    but those who heed admonition gain understanding. 33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honour.