God Wrestler: Ordinary Time Daybook for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

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Welcome to the weekly(ish) Ordinary Time Daybook devotional post for the 22 weeks between Pentecost and Advent. Ordinary Time is the longest season of the church calendar - a season of working and resting with Christ as he brings God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. 

You can read here for a brief description of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.

Look:  Israel (2011), Mike Moyers (Source)

Listen*:  Come O Thou Traveller Unknown, written by Charles Wesley, performed by Maddy Prior & The Carnival - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube 

Read**:  Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Isaiah 55:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 

Monday (8/3) Psalm 80; Psalm 77, 79; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 2:37-47; John 1:1-18

Tuesday (8/4) Psalm 78:1-39; Psalm 78:40-72; Judges 7:1-18; Acts 3:1-11; John 1:19-28

Wednesday (8/5) Psalm 119:97-120; Psalm 81, 82; Judges 7:19-8:12; Acts 3:12-26; John 1:29-42

Thursday (8/6) Psalm 145; Psalm 85, 86; Judges 8:22-35; Acts 4:1-12; John 1:43-51

Friday (8/7) Psalm 88; Psalm 91, 92; Judges 9:1-16,19-21; Acts 4:13-31; John 2:2-12

Saturday (8/8) Psalm 87, 90; Psalm 136 Judges 9:22-25,50-57; Acts 4:32-5:11; John 2:13-25

Pray:  Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Ninth Sunday After The Pentecost

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your grace that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Do:  Read the lyrics from today's music as a prayer. What longing do you carry that feels desperate enough to wrestle with God?

1 Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
whom still I hold, but cannot see;
my company before is gone,
and I am left alone with thee;
with thee all night I mean to stay,
and wrestle till the break of day.

2 I need not tell thee who I am,
my misery or sin declare;
thyself hast called me by my name;
look on thy hands, and read it there!
But who, I ask thee, who art thou?
Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

3 In vain thou strugglest to get free;
I never will unloose my hold.
Art thou the man that died for me?
The secret of thy love unfold:
wrestling, I will not let thee go,
till I thy name, thy nature know.

4 Yield to me now, for I am weak,
but confident in self-despair;
speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
be conquered by my instant prayer.
Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,
and tell me if thy name is Love!

5 'The Sun of Righteousness on me
hath rose with healing in his wings:
The morning breaks, the shadows flee;
pure universal Love thou art:
to me, to all, thy mercies move;
thy nature and thy name is Love.

You might also enjoy this reflection I wrote all the way back in 2007: On Wrestling (God) Watermelons. You can read another version written in 2008 here: Authentic Experiences [Disciplines for the Inner Life].

*Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Ordinary Time 2020 . Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’

** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year A of the Book of Common Prayer 2019 (Anglican Church of North America). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 2)