This morning prayer document contains: 1) A Psalm and reading from John about Jesus scolding people for seeking him only to satisfy physical hunger rather than for eternal life. 2) A short meditation reflecting on Jesus' warning to pursue that which is permanent and eternal, not just temporary pleasures. 3) A closing prayer asking God to fill people with holy love, perfect what he has begun, and satisfy their longing by showing his face and glory.

1. August 22, 2014
Morning
Prayers

2. Introduction
The night has passed, and the day lies open before
us; let us pray with one heart and mind.
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
so may the light of your presence, O God,
set our hearts on fire with love for you;
now and forever!
If you are praying with another person – read responsively
where appropriate.

3. The Psalm – Psalm 130
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
1-2
Help, GOD—the bottom has fallen out of my life!
Master, hear my cry for help!
Listen hard! Open your ears!
Listen to my cries for mercy.
3-4
If you, GOD, kept records on wrongdoings,
who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
and that’s why you’re worshiped.
5-6
I pray to GOD—my life a prayer—
and wait for what he’ll say and do.
My life’s on the line before God, my Lord,
waiting and watching till morning,
waiting and watching till morning.
7-8
O Israel, wait and watch for GOD—
with GOD’s arrival comes love,
with GOD’s arrival comes generous redemption.
No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel,
buy back Israel from captivity to sin.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

4. Short Reading and Meditation
22The next day the crowd that had stayed on
the other side of the sea saw that there had
been only one boat there. They also saw that
Jesus had not got into the boat with his
disciples, but that his disciples had gone
away alone. 23Then some boats from
Tiberias came near the place where they had
eaten the bread after the Lord had given
thanks. 24So when the crowd saw that
neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into the boats and went
to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25When they found him on the other side of
the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did
you come here?" 26Jesus answered them,
"Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me,
not because you saw signs, but because you
ate your fill of the loaves. 27Do not work for
the food that perishes, but for the food that
endures for eternal life, which the Son of
Man will give you. For it is on him that God
the Father has set his seal."
Thought for Today
Jesus scolds the people
that they are seeking Him
for the wrong reason – to
satisfy their appetites. He
warns all of us to make
sure we are chasing after
that which is permanent
and eternal and not just
the fleeting pleasures and
temporary satisfactions of
this world. Is your end
goal “lofty” enough to be
worth the chase?
John 6:22-27

5. Prayer
Pray Silently or Aloud for Others and Yourself
Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.
(Augustine, 354 - 430)