hodos
'To make Christianity comprehensive in its design, to open its benefits to all’, Thomas Falconer
There are many excellent orders for daily devotional exercises. I would commend the Unitarian Christian Association's Daybreak and Eventide, the Little Gidding Prayer Book and the Splendour of God (see the Worship material section). However, for those seeking a simpler yet devotional practice, hodos, from the Greek for the Way, is a cycle based on readings (rather than prayers), taken from Christian scripture without following the forms of the mainstream Church, shaped as they are by creedal requirements and historical understandings. It is offered here as a resource to be used if and as you wish.
Contents
The annual cycle begins with readings for Advent Sunday. On the first Monday in Advent start the daily readings at Day One. These continue to the Second Sunday in Advent, after which the daily cycle resumes at Day Seven and so on. There are special readings for Christmas Day, and the daily cycle continues on 26 December (unless it is a Sunday) with readings for the first Sunday after Christmas. The daily readings then continue uninterrupted to Palm Sunday. The cycle of daily readings is then replaced by readings for Passion Week and the days after Easter. On the Thursday after Easter the daily cycle resumes.
The readings for the day begin with a reading from the Old Testament. A sentence is taken from it (or, for the days of Advent etc, from the Gospel reading that follows), for reflection. This leads into the reading from the Gospels. This may be followed with personal prayer (a few prayers are included here), concluding with the Prayer of Jesus. If the observance it taking place at noon it is suggested the Prayer for Peace is used in place of the Prayer of Jesus (see http://peaceprayer.gn.apc.org/).
The Gospel readings are episodes from the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. The theology guiding hodos regards Jesus as the Christ, the one who assumed the role of the suffering servant anticipated in Isaiah as the Messiah. Through him the salvation promised to Israel is extended to all peoples. The Old Testament readings, therefore, are chosen either to prefigure prophetically or symbolically an occasion in the ministry of Jesus or to represent an occasion on which Jesus clarifies or extends the Law.
The readings for the day begin with a reading from the Old Testament. A sentence is taken from it (or, for the days of Advent etc, from the Gospel reading that follows), for reflection. This leads into the reading from the Gospels. This may be followed with personal prayer (a few prayers are included here), concluding with the Prayer of Jesus. If the observance it taking place at noon it is suggested the Prayer for Peace is used in place of the Prayer of Jesus (see http://peaceprayer.gn.apc.org/).
The Gospel readings are episodes from the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. The theology guiding hodos regards Jesus as the Christ, the one who assumed the role of the suffering servant anticipated in Isaiah as the Messiah. Through him the salvation promised to Israel is extended to all peoples. The Old Testament readings, therefore, are chosen either to prefigure prophetically or symbolically an occasion in the ministry of Jesus or to represent an occasion on which Jesus clarifies or extends the Law.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father in heaven,
May your name be holy.
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the bread we need.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation but save us from evil.
Amen.
Christian Compass prayer
Lord, you asked for my hands that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my life that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you only when it is convenient for me to do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Lord, forgive me, renew me, heal me, nurture me, empower me, send me out as an instrument of your peace.
Amen.
Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life,
From falsehood to truth
Lead me from despair to hope,
From fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love,
From war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
Peace Peace Peace.
Our Father in heaven,
May your name be holy.
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today the bread we need.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation but save us from evil.
Amen.
Christian Compass prayer
Lord, you asked for my hands that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my life that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you only when it is convenient for me to do so, only in those places where it is safe to do so and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Lord, forgive me, renew me, heal me, nurture me, empower me, send me out as an instrument of your peace.
Amen.
Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life,
From falsehood to truth
Lead me from despair to hope,
From fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love,
From war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
Peace Peace Peace.
Other prayers
Spirit of love, breathe your life into my heart.
Increase in me sympathy, goodwill and kindness that I may be counted among the blessed.
Spirit of strength, give me patience in hardship, steadfastness in temptation and courage in adversity.
May I cast out of my heart all bitterness, forget all wrongs done to me,
and may I remember that God is Love and that I am to love my neighbour as myself in the example of Jesus Christ.
Spirit of truth, guide me into truth, deliver me from error and establish in my heart the love of goodness, now and for ever.
Amen.
Spirit of God, may all that is beautiful remind me of your infinite beauty, may all that is good remind me of your perfect goodness, and may all that is true lead me to your truth.
Amen.
Sanctify my life, O God, with gratitude and reverence, that through humility I may find faith and through faith an undying zest for the adventure of life.
Keep me diligent and watchful that I may walk safely in the way that leads to your kingdom of eternal light and minister your grace to me at the time of temptation and failing will.
Of your goodness give me, with your love inspire me, by your Spirit guide me, through your power protect me, and in your mercy receive me, now and evermore. Amen.
May we behold the earth ruled by peace and goodwill and may the Spirit of Jesus be in the hearts of all.
Amen.
Lord, you know my sins and my weaknesses.
Forgive me all that is past and may I hereafter serve you in newness of life, doing your will and walking in your ways.
May I be more worthy of trust committed to me, more steadfast in duty, more faithful to principle, more generous in sympathy and more abounding in love.
Guide me by your Spirit and renew my desire to serve you with devotion in the days to come.
Amen.
God of life and liberty, grant me the spirit to think and to do the right thing.
May I be faithful in fulfilling the tasks of life, devoted to the accomplishment of your will and growing into the way of Jesus Christ.
May your creative spirit enliven and renew my soul that I may bear the fruit of goodness and mercy as a messenger of your peace and a bringer of your joy, all my days.
Amen
O God, whatsoever this life may bring to me, may my trust in you never fail.
Guard me from all evil, strengthen me in all weakness, enlighten me in all darkness and guide me along the pathways of life.
May your light guide me, your faithfulness strengthen me and your holy Spirit inspire me to serve you more closely.
In loving may I know your divine love and through your mercy may I learn the wisdom that makes perfect and the peace that abides.
Amen.
Help me, Lord, to realise more fully the meaning of love, its sacrifice and its joy, its faithfulness and its everlasting hope.
May the teaching of Jesus Christ instruct me, his example inspire me, his death chasten me, that I may henceforth live in the service of your kingdom.
Amen.
Lord, I remember before you my broken vows, the good resolutions I have neglected, and the excuses I have made to avoid your service.
I ask forgiveness for my self-regard, my lack of compassion and my indifference to the needs of others.
Lord, I know that you will never despair of me. Help me never to despair of myself.
Renew your spirit within me that I may not fail you in the work to which I have been called.
May I hereafter live for whatever is good and true and show my faith in all my works, blessed by your holy peace all the days of my life.
Amen.
Grace before a meal
Each time we eat,
May we remember God’s love.
Amen.
Each time we eat,
May we remember God’s love.
Amen.
14 October Day Thirty nine
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
from Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher’, they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask’. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory’.
‘You don’t know what you are asking’, Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’ ‘We can’, they answered.
Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared’.
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’.
15 October Day Forty
From where then does wisdom come? Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say, ‘Only a rumour of it has reached our ears’.
God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and judged it; he confirmed it and tested it.
And he said to Man, ‘The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding’.
from Job 28
To shun evil is understanding
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’.
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Jesus said, ‘Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
No one knows about that day or hour, not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! You do not know when that time will come. It is like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone, “Watch!” ’
16 October Day One
A voice of one calling, ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken’.
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd, he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. from Isaiah 40
The glory of the Lord will be revealed.
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus the Christ.
It is written in Isaiah the prophet, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’. ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’.
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message, ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit’.
17 October Day Two
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
from Daniel 7
His domain is everlasting and his kingdom will never be destroyed.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’
Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness’. Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’.
John gave this testimony, ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”. I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God’.
18 October Day Three
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
from Psalm 18
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread’. Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man does not live on bread alone”.’
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I choose. So if you worship me, it will all be yours’. Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only”.’
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’, he said, ‘throw yourself down from here. For it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone”.’ Jesus answered, ‘It says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”.’
When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until an opportune time.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
from Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher’, they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask’. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory’.
‘You don’t know what you are asking’, Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’ ‘We can’, they answered.
Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared’.
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’.
15 October Day Forty
From where then does wisdom come? Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say, ‘Only a rumour of it has reached our ears’.
God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and judged it; he confirmed it and tested it.
And he said to Man, ‘The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding’.
from Job 28
To shun evil is understanding
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’.
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Jesus said, ‘Now learn this lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
No one knows about that day or hour, not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! You do not know when that time will come. It is like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone, “Watch!” ’
16 October Day One
A voice of one calling, ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken’.
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd, he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. from Isaiah 40
The glory of the Lord will be revealed.
The beginning of the gospel about Jesus the Christ.
It is written in Isaiah the prophet, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’. ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’.
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message, ‘After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit’.
17 October Day Two
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
from Daniel 7
His domain is everlasting and his kingdom will never be destroyed.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’
Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness’. Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’.
John gave this testimony, ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”. I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God’.
18 October Day Three
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
from Psalm 18
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread’. Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man does not live on bread alone”.’
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I choose. So if you worship me, it will all be yours’. Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only”.’
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God’, he said, ‘throw yourself down from here. For it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone”.’ Jesus answered, ‘It says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”.’
When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until an opportune time.
