Scripture Focus: Hosea 12.6-8
6 But you must return to your God; 
maintain love and justice, 
and wait for your God always. 
7 The merchant uses dishonest scales 
and loves to defraud. 
8 Ephraim boasts, 
“I am very rich; I have become wealthy. 
With all my wealth they will not find in me 
any iniquity or sin.” 

Reflection: A Way Back for Strivers—Guided Prayer
By John Tillman

During this contentious election week in the United States, we are seeking repentance, patience, peace, and faith. We will pray for these things this week, using the scriptures from our reading plan. We will pray through the closing chapters of Hosea, today’s chapter being the twelfth.

A Way Back for Strivers
We, like Jacob, are born swindlers
Grasping for more than we deserve

The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; 
he will punish Jacob according to his ways 
and repay him according to his deeds.– Hosea 12.2


We, like, Jacob, don’t deserve the new name you would bestow
We are still strivers who create strife

The merchant uses dishonest scales 
and loves to defraud. 
Ephraim boasts, 
“I am very rich; I have become wealthy. 
With all my wealth they will not find in me 
any iniquity or sin.”  — Hosea 12.7-8


As Israel lied to his father, deceived his brother, and cheated his relatives
We have lied, deceived, and cheated our brothers and sisters.

In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; 
as a man he struggled with God. 
He struggled with the angel and overcame him; 
he wept and begged for his favor. 
He found him at Bethel 
and talked with him there— 
the LORD God Almighty, 
the LORD is his name!  — Hosea 12.3-5


Despite the depths we may sink to,
No matter what poisonous sin we commit
You make a way back for us
You allow us to find you

But you must return to your God; 
maintain love and justice, 
and wait for your God always. — Hosea 12.6


If we wrestle with you God, you will bless
If we weep to you God, you will dry our tears
If we will return to you, God, you will heal

Show us and help us share your love.
Give us your righteousness and make us instruments of establishing your justice.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
I call with my whole heart; answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes.
Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness; according to your judgements, give me life. — Psalm 119.145 

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle

Today’s Readings
Hosea 12  (Listen – 1:51)
Psalm 135-136 (Listen – 4:23)

This Weekend’s Readings
Hosea 13  (Listen – 2:26), Psalm 137-138 (Listen – 2:13)
Hosea 14  (Listen – 1:39), Psalm 139 (Listen – 2:26)

Read more about Spiritual Markers
May they remind us that we must be equally reliant on God in the land of plenty as in the desert of barrenness.

Read more about Distrust of God and Fraud
It is the unbelief and contempt of heaven, which make men risk it for the poor commodities of this world.