Monday Morning Prayer, 20 Jul 2020

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

Opening:*

Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us.
From heaven, where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary,
Bathe us with the brilliance of Your light like dew.

Believer, hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man.  “Aidan”

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 129

A Prayer for Protection

Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked!

Let everyone in Israel say:
“Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked!
But they have not defeated me, though my back is like a field that has just been plowed.”

The Lord always does right, and he has set me free from the ropes of those cruel people.
I pray that all who hate the city of Zion will be made ashamed and forced to turn and run.
May they be like grass on the flat roof of a house, grass that dries up as soon as it sprouts.
Don’t let them be like wheat gathered in bundles. And don’t let anyone who passes by say to them, “The Lord bless you! I give you my blessing in the name of the Lord.”

Esther 3:13, 4:7, 8:6

The letters were taken by messengers to every part of the kingdom, and this is what was said in the letters: On the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, all Jewish men, women, and children are to be killed. And their property is to be taken.
_____

Mordecai told him everything that had happened. He also told him how much money Haman had promised to add to the king’s treasury, if all the Jews were killed.
_____

I can’t bear to see my people and my own relatives destroyed.”

Matthew 25:35-37

When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink?

Prayer: You offer us the Kingdom* by by Christine Jerrett

We name you gracious Master and our God,
Great Redeemer and King.
You offer us the kingdom, Lord Jesus;
a realm where the hungry are fed,
the thirsty are given something to drink;
and the homeless are housed,

You offer us a realm where
those who are shivering are clothed,
the sick are visited,
those in prison hear good news.

We wonder how we are to receive such a gift:
Will you require of us more than what we are already doing?
Will you judge us for
what we have done and what we have left undone?
Will you leave us out of your community of salvation?

In your great love and mercy,
move us beyond fear;
move us beyond guilt;
move us beyond our anxious worry.
Move us deeper into your surprising grace;
Heal the blindness that does not see you
when you come to us in distressing disguise.

Set us free from serving lesser gods.

Most of all, form in us the mind of Christ,
so that we see the world through your eyes,
so that our hearts are broken by the things
that break your heart, and
so that we delight in the things that delight you,
and you create in us courage enough not to duck.

We ask in your life-giving name.

__________

Waltraud Rennebaum – Shir ha Ma’alot: Adonai tzadik – Psalm 129 (Song of Ascents)

Closing

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.

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 38-45). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.