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 142 (NLT) – A psalm of David, regarding his experience in the cave. A prayer.

I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.

Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you are good to me.”
__________

Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Hear the cries of your people, entrapped by the wicked –

+ for they are being overwhelmed by cruel enemies…
+ for they are desperate for safe places to hide…
+ for they are abandoned without prospect of rescue…
+ for they are imprisoned in hopelessness…

O Lord our God: Hear the cries of your people, rejected by the apathetic –

+ for you alone are our ever-present helper in times of trouble…
+ for you alone love us with never-ending loving-kindness…
+ for you alone are the beginning and end of our lives…
+ for you alone are our refuge from sin and death…

O Lord our God: Hear the cries of your people and come quickly to help us, as merciful Savior and righteous Judge, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.
__________

“Psalm 142” (To God I Make My Sorrow Known) – Isaac Watts / Edwin M. Willmington

To God I made my sorrows known, From God I sought relief;
In long complaints before his throne, I poured out all my grief.
My soul was overwhelmed with woes, My heart began to break;
My God, who all my burden knows, He knows the way I take.

On every side I cast mine eye, And found my helpers gone;
While friends and strangers passed me by, Neglected or unknown.
Then did I raise a louder cry, And called thy mercy near,
“Thou art my portion when I die; Be thou my refuge here.”

Lord, I am brought exceeding low, Now let thine ear attend,
And make my foes who vex me know, I’ve an almighty Friend.
From my sad prison set me free, Then shall I praise thy name,
And holy men shall join with me, Thy kindness to proclaim.
__________

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.