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 139 (NLT) – For the choir director: A psalm of David.

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night — but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
__________

Morning Prayer

Almighty God: To you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid –

+ You created us in your image, and knit us together inside our mothers…
+ You have been with us ever since, working out your plan for our lives…
+ You know how we think, what we feel, and what we have done or left undone…
+ You know our sins, and our failures to live up to your expectations…
+ You know our fears and anxieties, and our hopes for the future…
+ And, through it all, you have surrounded us with your presence…
+ You have loved us, and held us close to your heart…

Almighty God: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Psalm 139” (Far Too Wonderful) – Shane & Shane

You wrote the story of my life | You go before you fall behind, yeah
Before a breath beyond my death | You are with me all the way
To everlasting

Oh I can’t run, I can’t hide | Even darkness is a light
From the lowest place to the highest praise
You are worthy
Amazing love how can it be | Far too wonderful for me
There’s only one thing left to say
You are worthy, oh

Search me God and know my heart | Try me, know my anxious thoughts, yeah
Find the weaknesses in me and lead me in the way
Everlasting

You formed me in my mothers womb | You know my frame, my flesh, and bone
Oh, how wonderfully made
Oh I can’t describe it’s way too hard | You see me through and through
And call me loved
What a wonderful grace, oh
__________

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.
__________

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