Lend me your wisdom, Lord, that I may know what I truly am.

Psalm 36

         No follower of mine wanders in the dark;
         he shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

Sin speaks to the sinner in the depths of his heart.
There is no fear of God before his eyes.

He so flatters himself in his mind that he knows not his guilt.
In his mouth are mischief and deceit.   All wisdom is gone.

He plots the defeat of goodness as he lies on his bed.

He has set his foot on evil ways, he clings to what is evil.

Lord, show me what I truly am.

Do not deceive yourselves.

If you think that you are wise in this age,
you should become fools so that you may become wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness’,
and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’

So let no one boast about human leaders.
For all things are yours,
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world
or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you,
and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

~ 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 NRSV

Be the spirit within me, O Lord.

Lord,
may everything we do
begin with your inspiration,
continue with your help,
and reach perfection under your guidance.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

____________

Closing prayer at Lauds

Thursday after Ash Wednesdat - 190307

You are my God, I give you thanks and praise.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God,
with all my heart,
– for great is your mercy towards me.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
my God, I give praise to you.
– For great is your mercy towards me.

~Psalm 86:12-13; 118:28

(as Responsory)

May I never forget, Lord, your joy that you have given me.

With joy and gladness we cry out to you, Lord and ask you: open our hearts to sing your praises and announce your goodness and truth.

Ant. Let us go into God's presence singing for joy.

Psalm Prayer from Lauds on 190104ii

Friday of week after the Octave of Christmas,