Morning Prayer – Terce – from Daily Prayer for All Seasons
January 25: Conversion of St. Paul
Opening
Wisdom knows and understands all things
and guides us in our actions.
Prayer
O God, your Spirit of Wisdom was present at the creation and with Jesus at his baptism: Open our hearts to that same Spirit, and strengthen and guide us to love and serve you and our neighbors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Praise
A Song of the Spirit of Wisdom (Wisdom 7:7-8, 10-14a)
I prayed and understanding was given me; *
I called on God and the Spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepters and thrones, *
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.
I loved her more than health or beauty, *
and I chose to have her rather than light
because her radiance never ceases.
In her company, all good things came to me; *
in her hands, a wealth of true riches.
In all these good things, I rejoiced
because Wisdom brings them, *
but I did not know that she was their mother.
What I learned without selfishness I pass on without reserve; *
I do not hide her gifts.
For Wisdom is an unfailing treasure for mortals: *
those who receive her are friends with God.
Scripture
Acts 9:1-22
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were travelling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ All who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?’ Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
Meditation
What scales have fallen from our eyes when we have encountered the presence of the Holy?
Prayers
Breath of God, inspire us with your guidance.
Come to us, Holy Spirit, and be present with us.
Wisdom of God, guide us to works of goodness and mercy.
Come to us, Holy Spirit, and be present with us.
Spirit of God, teach us to be faithful.
Come to us, Holy Spirit, and be present with us.
(take time in the silence to add particular intercessions or thanksgivings.)
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.
Prayer
Gracious God: give us deeper reverence for the truth and such wisdom in the use of knowledge that your kingdom may be advanced and your name glorified;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Going Out
Wisdom knows and understands all things,
and she will guide us in our actions.
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 