PRAYERS FOR A CHURCH SOBOR
Page 4 of 7
The reading of the Epistle for the Day, followed by I Corinthians 12:18-13:8
BRETHREN: But now hath God set the members every one of them in the
body, as it hath pleased him.
{19}
And if they were all one member, where
were the body?
{20}
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
{21}
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the
head to the feet, I have no need of you.
{22}
Nay, much more those members
of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
{23}
And those
members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we
bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more
abundant comeliness.
{24}
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath
tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that
part which lacked:
{25}
That there should be no schism in the body; but that
the members should have the same care one for another.
{26}
And whether
one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be
honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
{27}
Now ye are the body of Christ,
and members in particular.
{28}
And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
{29}
Are all
apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
{30}
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
{31}
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent
way.
{13:1}
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
{2}
And
though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all
knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,
and have not charity, I am nothing.
{3}
And though I bestow all my goods to
feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not
charity, it profiteth me nothing.
{4}
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
{5}
Doth not behave
itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no
evil; {6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
{7}
Beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
{8}
Charity
never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there
be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish
away.