Dear friends at Franklin Park Baptist Church,

Lately I’ve been thinking of what the Bible says about beginning your morning with prayer and with the Lord. Here are some key scriptures:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8 NIV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.- Lamentations 3;22-23 ESV

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30:5

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. – Psalm 92:2

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. – Mark 1;35 NIV

Also, here are a couple of brief suggested prayers to get you started, and a couple of reminders from St Paul about our calling as followers of Jesus:

Lord, help me to honor you today in every meeting, in every chance encounter, in every decision, and in every word. Help me to express my love for you and your love for others.

Lord, often I am critical of others when my own standards need review. Compel me to judge others less and to look deeply at my own shortcomings. Help me to see the judgment and hypocrisy in my own life and help me to become the disciple you want me to be.

Colossians 3:13-14 Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Ephesians 4:29-32 [29] Do not let any unwholesome (evil) talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1 Peter 3:8-9 [8] Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble[9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

May your October become a time of renewal and hope as we draw nearer to our God.

In His service,
Rev Paul Aiello

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