Daily Prayers for March 18

Cyril of Jerusalem (315 – 386)

Cyril lived in the fourth century. His gift to the church was his refusal to separate good doctrine from good living, insisting that orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxis (right living) must be married. He was accused of selling some gifts from the emperor and giving the money to the poor. Cyril was condemned and forced into exile. He died in 386 at the age of seventy. Of his thirty-five years as a bishop, nearly sixteen were spent in exile.

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you

as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Come, let us sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

Song “All Creatures of Our God and King”

In the roar of a hard rain, Lord : we hear justice rolling down.

Psalm 93:4 – 6

The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted up their voice : the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea : mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.

Your testimonies are very sure : and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore.

In the roar of a hard rain, Lord : we hear justice rolling down.

Exodus 4:10 – 31 Mark 7:1 – 23

In the roar of a hard rain, Lord : we hear justice rolling down.

Cyril of Jerusalem said, “The way of godliness consists of these two parts, pious doctrines and good works. Neither are the doctrines acceptable to God without good works, nor does God accept works accomplished otherwise than as linked with pious doctrines.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, not only in the roar of a hard rain, but in the dousing, dipping, drenching of our baptism, call us to live into that new life that is your resurrection. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.