Epistle Reflection
God of unchangeable power,
when you fashioned the world
the morning stars sang together
and the host of heaven shouted for joy;
open our eyes to the wonders of creation
and teach us to use all things for good,
to the honour of your glorious name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
New Testament Reading - Called to be an apostle

1 Dear friends in Rome: This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave, chosen to be a missionary, and sent out to preach God’s Good News. 2This Good News was promised long ago by God’s prophets in the Old Testament. 3It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who came as a human baby, born into King David’s royal family line; 4and by being raised from the dead he was proved to be the mighty Son of God, with the holy nature of God himself.
5And now, through Christ, all the kindness of God has been poured out upon us undeserving sinners; and now he is sending us out around the world to tell all people everywhere the great things God has done for them, so that they, too, will believe and obey him.
6-7And you, dear friends in Rome, are among those he dearly loves; you, too, are invited by Jesus Christ to be God’s very own — yes, his holy people. May all God’s mercies and peace be yours from God our Father and from Jesus Christ our Lord.
. . . . . Romans 1:1-6Intercession
Pray for 5 people on your heart ending with the prayer below.
Heavenly Father
We pray for… those in need:
those who suffer;
the sick;
the poor;
the distressed;
the lonely; the unloved;
the persecuted;
the unemployed;
those who grieve; and those who care for them…
Comfort and heal, merciful Lord,
all who are in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble.
Give them a firm trust in your goodness;
help those who minister to them;
and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
Father, hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.