Zion Presbyterian Church
135 Prince St C1A 7K2 Charlottetown, PE, Canada

Join us for worship this morning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBBGgdte7hA

Daily Reading and Prayer Thursday, October 15 Today, our reading reminds us of where we’ve come from and of what our lives would be like without the grace, mercy and love of God. Thanks be to God, who makes us new! Ephesians 2:1-10... Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devilthe commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Prayer Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, 'Great is your love toward me.' Amen. - Lysa Terkeurst

Sunday November 15 One of the great Scripture passages! It is worth putting this one right on your fridge, as a reminder and a prayer with which to begin every day. Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends ...all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer a beautiful song of peace from John Michael Talbot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMGkP1xiLI8

Daily Reading and Prayer Wednesday, October 14 Paul reminds us in this reading, just who Jesus is! What an honour to call ourselves Christian, and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus! Ephesians 1:19-23 (New Living Translation)... I pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything elsenot only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Prayer (by Saint Augustine) O Lord Jesus Christ, give me a measure of your spirit, that I may be able to obey your teachings, to pacify anger, to pity the sinful, to moderate desire, to increase love, to put away sorrow, to cast aside pride in my accomplishments, not to be vindictive, not to fear death, always entrusting my spirit to Almighty God the Father, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, with no end. Amen.

Saturday November 14 As with any congregation, there are conflicts in the Philippian church. Two co-workers of Paul, who have contended at his side worked hard in the face of opposition for the sake of the Gospel, have had a falling-out. Paul’s prayer is that they would be of the same mind in the Lord. May that be our prayer for all with whom we disagree and may it be their prayer for us! Philippians 4:2-3... 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Prayer Father, we fail to get along with all the people you have put in our lives, in family, work and church. Peace has been replaced with conflict and manipulation. We used to love and respect each other, and now everyone is self-centered. Lord, I repent on my own behalf. All of us myself included - have wronged you and each other with our selfishness. Forgive us, give us patience so that we can resolve our differences in an amicable way. Lord Jesus, you loved us while we were still sinners and you continue to shower us with your love even when we fail. Lord, let your love take control of our thoughts, actions, and words as we interact with each other. Please help us to value each other the same way you value us and give us the grace to treat each other right. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Reading the Gospels Together - John chapter 5

Reading the Gospels Together - John 12

Daily Reading and Prayer Tuesday, October 13 Confession time I was anticipating continuing the daily readings with Ecclesiastes, but I found them just too cynical and depressing to continue! Having gone through the Psalms and Proverbs, I’m going to shift to the New Testament, and the Book of Ephesians. Let’s spend a couple of weeks with our friends in Ephesus, and Paul’s inspiring words to them! Ephesians 1:15-18 (New Living Translation)... 15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he calledhis holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Prayer Dear Lord, as I come before you this morning, my spirit is filled with thanks that you have given me a life and filled it with meaning. Knowing that you have a purpose for me is such a gift as I cannot express; even when the world or my own thoughts fill me with feelings of worthlessness, I can turn to you and know, fully certain, that you are in charge and have filled my existence with meaning and purpose I cannot fully understand. Lord Christ, you promised that if we love you and obey your teaching, you and the Father will make your home with us; I declare my love for you; and there is nothing I want more than to have you live with me, present in my life. Help me to follow your teaching in every way; for you have given us grace, that by your death and resurrection, we may be perfect before you. Accept my love and be with me, today and always, I pray by your grace, Amen.

Friday November 13 I love this insight into Paul’s character if you think differently than me, God will help you see it my way! But rather than arrogance, Paul is trying his best to encourage his people to live up to the calling we have to follow Jesus. Philippians 3:15-4:1 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already att...ained. 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Prayer Give us, Lord, a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, a love of you. Take from us all lukewarmness in meditation, dullness in prayer. Give us fervor and delight in thinking of you and your grace, your tender compassion towards us. The things we pray for, good Lord, give us grace to labor for. May we be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and always remembering that in the Lord our labor is not in vain, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. - Sir Thomas More, 16th century

At-Home Faith Formation Tip October Faith Practice - Gratitude

Daily Reading and Prayer Monday, October 12 Thanksgiving Psalm 136 is a great Psalm of thanksgiving, and is a responsive Psalm, written for worship. The leader would speak (or sing) the first part of the verse, and the people would respond with, His love endures forever! Say this Psalm out loud, and as you do, you are participating in 3000 unbroken years of worship!... 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. Prayers for Thanksgiving Day Many people recognise that Thanksgiving Day is an important time to give thanks to God for all the blessings of our lives. Here are some ideas to help your family in their prayers together: Give everyone an opportunity to express their thanks. It is a good idea to go around the table and ask each person to think of something from the past year for which they are particularly thankful. This can all be wrapped up in a prayer after everyone has shared. In the same manner, you can go around the table three times: once, asking for events for which people are thankful; once, for things received or enjoyed; and once more, asking for each one to express thanks for a particular person. Additionally, people can be asked to give thanks for a particular quality in each member of the family (for example: I’m thankful for my sister playing with me, for Mom taking good care of me, for Dad taking me camping.) Again, these can all be summed up in a prayer after all have shared their thoughts. It can be helpful, when gathering for a Thanksgiving meal, to think about who worked hard for all the elements of the meal to come together: the farmer who planted and harvested the corn, the truck drivers who delivered the potatoes, the people who packed the turkeys, the municipal workers who provided water and electricity the list goes on. Go around the table asking for ideas about how each person can express thanks by doing something for another, and giving them cause to be thankful. Dear God, thank you for this great food. I will show my thanks by volunteering to help with a meal in the soup kitchen. Or, Dear God, thanks for this stuffing. I will be thankful by helping every day this week in cleaning up after supper. Prayers of thanks work after a meal, too and there is less pressure to get them done quickly! Consider a traditional grace before the meal, and some of the ideas above for after or even as conversation throughout the meal!

Daily Reading and Prayer Sunday, October 11 Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes an...d ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Prayer We praise you, Father and Lord, with all our heart; Gathered near and far as a congregation of your people, we worship you in prayer, word and song. For you have done amazing and wonderful things; Your blessings to us are without number, and fill our lives with joy. All the good in our lives is a gift of your hand, and reminds us of your unfailing love. The beauty of each fall day, the refreshing change of the seasons, brings your creative wonder and your constant care before us. You provide us with nourishment for our bodies and our souls, and help us live each day. You have given us a safe and secure land in which to live, a land of beauty and of plenty, and the freedom to gather in worship of you. You have given us a land of opportunity and equity, where we try to reflect your justice, goodness and love. For your goodness, righteousness and love are forever, your salvation is eternal, and your mercy and grace are with us all our days. Give us understanding, insight, perception and wisdom, that we might see and understand your unfailing love permeating all our world, and all our lives. And so help us, Lord God, to truly live for you, and so to truly live a worthwhile and blessed life. For so often, Father, our lives are lived in pointless pursuits. Unaware of your blessings and love, blind to that which is truly of value, We travel the wrong paths, pursue the wrong goals, and end each day unfulfilled. Poor in spirit, we seek richness in material things, and place ourselves at the centre of our concerns. Forgive us our sins, we pray. Forgive us our selfishness and our failure to truly see. Open our hearts and our minds to your unending faithfulness, and to the wonder of your love. Hear our silent prayers, O Lord Hear the Good News! The Lord our God has done amazing and wonderful things; God’s blessings to us are without number, and fill our lives with joy. God has brought forgiveness, restoration and salvation-life To all who would call upon his name, To all who would turn to Jesus as Saviour and Lord. This is our hope, our courage, our strength: We are made new in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Zion families: We're excited to welcome you to worship tomorrow!

Daily Reading and Prayer - Saturday October 10 Why do the wicked prosper? An ancient question. The Teacher tells us, when justice is slow, or when the wicked go unpunished, it encourages others to be dishonest. Don’t be deceived by the prosperity of the wicked; their judgement will come. Ecclesiastes 8:11-14... When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. Prayer Almighty Father; I enter your presence confessing the things I try to conceal from you and the things I try to conceal from others. I confess the heartbreak, worry, and sorrow I have caused, that make it difficult for others to forgive me; the times I have made it easy for others to do wrong; and the harm I have done that makes it hard for me to forgive myself. Lord have mercy on me, and forgive me for all my sins against you and against others. And teach the grace to forgive others to all who ask for it, through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Good shepherd, seek me out, and bring me home to your fold again. Deal favourably with me according to your good pleasure, until I may dwell in your house all the days of my life, and praise you forever and ever with them that are there. Amen. from a prayer of St. Jerome, 408 A.D.

Reading the Gospels Together - John 4 part 2

Daily Reading and Prayer - Friday October 9 I’ve been preoccupied lately with the political situation in both Canada and the US. I can’t help but be discouraged. Bringing your opponent down rather than lifting the nation up seems to be the way of our times. These verses seem like a wise commentary on it all: Ecclesiastes 7:20... Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:29 This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes. Prayer Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom you have taught us that love is the greatest good; defend me this day against all the instincts that tempt me away from love of my fellow man. Let me put aside every sort of prejudice and bias against other people who are different from me: those who have a different gender, or skin color, or accent, or who have different ideas about politics or how to drive a car or any of the thousand other differences that drive a wedge between me and all the other people of earth. Let me accept others for who they are. Let me know that they are your creatures, and that you love them just as you love me. Let me not be stingy with my affection or my support of others out of jealousy, or greed, or pridefulness; but look upon the work of others, and their well-being, as I look upon my own. I am weak, Lord, and I often stumble and let myself lapse into irritation or anger at others; but through your Holy Spirit, all things are possible; and I ask that today you be with me at every moment, and fill me with the capacity for love that only your Spirit can bring to me. In the name of my Lord Christ I ask this, Amen

Reading the Gospels Together - John 4 part 1

Daily Reading and Prayer - Thursday October 8 Ecclesiastes 7 is a pretty tough read, as the Teacher is in a sour mood. Perhaps he watched a Presidential Debate! Nonetheless, there is wisdom in his words. Ecclesiastes 7:9-14... Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Do not say, Why were the old days better than these? For it is not wise to ask such questions. Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. Prayer Holy God, teach me to treat every person with the pure love of Christ. Do not let me hate any person, but to forgive them when they sin, and to disregard every external attribute that prejudices one person against another. For we are all your children, equally loved, although we be sinners all. And bless those who hate and those who are hated, especially from prejudices against attributes of birth, or appearance, or ability, or any other worldly feature that divides us from one another. Comfort and bless those who suffer such discrimination and do not let them fall into Hatefulness, but give them always a spirit of sincere and pure forgiveness, as Christ forgave those who tortured and murdered Him. And reform those who say words or commit acts that hurt others; if it be your will, let them see their sin and grow to hate it. Call them to your Spirit and let them be reborn in love and humility through the power of Christ, in whose name I pray, Amen.