Evening Prayer With Bob

But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest.
For old age is not honoured for length of time,
or measured by number of years;
but understanding is grey hair for anyone,
and a blameless life is ripe old age. ~ Wisdom 4:7-9 (NRSV)

Image: The Stoning of Saint Stephen, Rembrandt, 1625

Raise, raise the song on high,
the mother sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the babe the son of Mary!

Image: Geburt Christi Heilige Nacht, Weihnacht, (Nativity, Holy Night, Christmas), Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1520.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. ~ Psalm 139:10, 11 (NRSV)

Image: The Nativity, William Blake, 1790

Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:38

Image: The Annunciation, Francisco Goya, 1785,

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:5-6

Image: Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio, 1601.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" ~ Matthew 11:2-3

Image: St. John the Baptist in the Prison, oil on canvas, c. 1565-70, Juan Fernandez de Navarrete, 1526-1579

Bear fruit worthy of repentance. ~ Matthew 3:8

[John the Baptist] proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." ~ Mark 1:7-8

Image: St. John the Baptist, Titian, 1542

Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done. ~ Luke 22:42

He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. ~ John 3:29 (NRSV)

Image: I am unable to find the name of the artist of this portrait of John the Baptist. If you know, please share with me so I can offer proper attribution.

The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime;
in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. ~ Psalms 42:10

Image: De Sterrennacht, (The Starry Night), Vincent van Gogh, 1889

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ~ Luke 22:27

I have been young and now I am old, but never have I seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread. Psalms 37:26

Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again." ~ John 8:10-11 (NRSV)

Image: Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery, Max Beckmann, 1917

Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. ~ Luke 21:28

And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them." ~ Luke 21:8 (NRSV)

Image: Jacobello Alberegno , altare dell'apocalisse, 1360-90

He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’ ~ Luke 21:3-4 (NRSV)

Image: The Widow's Mite, Gustave Dore, 1880

You will save a lowly people, but you will humble the haughty eyes.
You, O Lord, are my lamp; my God, you make my darkness bright. ~ Psalm 18: 28-29

But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help. ~ Psalm 13:5 (NRSV)

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ~ Isiah 55:1

nImage: St. Andrew, Exterior mosaic next to the cathedral at Amalfi, Italy.

You hide your face, and they are terrified; you take away their breath, and they die and return to their dust.
You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. ~ Psalm 104:30-31 (NRSV)

Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; *
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground. ~ Psalm 143:10 (NRSV)

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.
And my people shall never again be put to shame. ~ Joel 2:27

Image: Abraham Lincoln, Photographed by Matthew Brady, January 1864

Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord. ~ Book of Common Prayer, p. 818

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." ~ Luke 17: 20-21

Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will. ~ Book of Common Prayer, p. 828

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:23 (NRSV)

Image: Malheur à vous scribes et pharisiens, James Tissot

No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ~ Luke 16:13 (NRSV)

Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my Name. ~ Psalm 91: 14

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ For Those in the Armed Forces of our Country, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823

Image: The Tyne Cot Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:27

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Prayer for our Enemies, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816