Reading September 25, 2019

Ezra 9:5-9

At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness,and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees,stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God.I said: "My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you,O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our headsand our guilt reaches up to heaven.From the time of our fathers even to this daygreat has been our guilt,and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up,we and our kings and our priests,to the will of the kings of foreign lands,to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace,as is the case today."And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the LORD, our God,who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place;thus our God has brightened our eyesand given us relief in our servitude.For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us;rather, he has turned the good willof the kings of Persia toward us.Thus he has given us new lifeto raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins,and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem."

Mark 1:15

The Kingdom of God is at hand;repent and believe in the Gospel.

Luke 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authorityover all demons and to cure diseases,and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of Godand to heal the sick.He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey,neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,and let no one take a second tunic.Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.And as for those who do not welcome you,when you leave that town,shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them."Then they set out and went from village to villageproclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Prayer

Open our eyes Lord, that we might so the effects of your glorious grace when we work for you.