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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 120 (NLT) – A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. Rescue me, O Lord, from liars and from all deceitful people.

O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you? How will he increase your punishment? You will be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with glowing coals.

How I suffer in far-off Meshech. It pains me to live in distant Kedar. I am tired of living among people who hate peace. I search for peace; but when I speak of peace, they want war!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Rescue us from the deceitful liars all around us –

+ deliver the godly from the false, the treacherous, and the cruel…
+ sustain the godly, especially the powerless, by the power of your Spirit…

O Lord our God: Judge our neighbors with righteousness and truth…

+ bless those who bless the godly…
+ curse those who curse the godly…

O Lord our God: We live as strangers in alien and hostile environments. Pour out your Spirit – that we might live blamelessly, exhibiting love, joy, and peace, while we await your coming in power to judge the living and the dead – through Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.
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“Psalm 120” (I Am A Man of Peace) – Jason Coghill

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