Praying the Psalms

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Morning Reading: Psalm 11 (NLT)

I trust in the Lord for protection.

So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.

For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.
__________

Morning Prayer

Lord our God: Give us the courage required to face the dangers and difficulties of our times with confident determination –

+ That we may ignore the advice of fearful people
+ That we may ignore the advice of depressed people
+ That we may stand firm in the face of imminent danger
+ That we may stand firm in the face of godless mockers

Lord our God: We place our trust in you, our all-sufficient Helper –

+ For you are the King of the universe, ruling over our times
+ For you see everything that’s going on, you examine every motive
+ For you love the godly and loathe the wicked
+ For you will exercise a righteous retribution on the wicked

Lord our God: Whom shall we fear, when you reign Supreme? We place our trust in you. Amen.
__________

God Hasn’t Moved (Psalm 11) – The Shiyr Poets

In the Lord is my protection | In the Lord I place my trust
So why do you say ‘Off to the hills’ | Like a bird flies for safety
Why do you say?

For look the wicked bend back their bow
They fix to the string their arrow
They shoot from the gloom at the upright

When the foundations are gone | What can the righteous do?
When law and order collapse | What can the righteous do?

God hasn’t moved | God hasn’t moved
God hasn’t moved to the mountains
God hasn’t moved

The Lord is in His holy temple | The Lord is in His holy temple
The Lord is in His holy temple | He still rules
He hasn’t moved | God hasn’t moved

The Lord will watch all who live on the earth
He sees everyone unblinking | He’s testing the righteous
But the one who loves violence he hates

Upon the wicked rains | Fiery coals; judgment’s pain
Emptiness their portion | A scorching wind is all that remains

For the Lord our God is righteous
And righteous acts are what He loves
We will see His face | We will see His face
We will see His face | We will see . . .
God hasn’t moved | He hasn’t moved
God hasn’t moved
__________

Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Categories: Life in Christ

Tags: 12 Jul, Daily Reading, Jesus Christ, Morning Prayer, Morning Reading, Northumbrian Community, Praying the Psalms, Psalm 11, the Lord still rules, Worship