Thursday Morning Prayer, 20 Aug 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
O Lord, show your mercy upon us; and grant us your salvation.
O Lord, guide those who govern us; and lead us in the way of justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness; and let your people sing with joy
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
(Romans16:20)
Collect for Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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.
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Scripture: Psalm 115 (NLT)
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Why let the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens,
and he does as he wishes.
Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,
shaped by human hands.
Trust in God (Psalm 115) – Teshuva – Hallel
May the Lord richly bless
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
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Scripture Reading
Romans 16:17-20, 25-27 (NLT)
Paul’s Final Instructions
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
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Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
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Reflection:
The God of Peace
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
(Romans16:20)
The God of peace, the author and giver of all good. When we come to God for spiritual victories, we must not only eye him as the Lord of hosts, whose all power is, but as the God of peace, a God at peace with us, speaking peace to us, working peace in us, creating peace for us. Victory comes from God more as the God of peace than as the God of war; for, in all our conflicts, peace is the thing we must contend for. God, as the God of peace, will restrain and vanquish all those that cause divisions and offences, and so break and disturb the peace of the church. (Matthew Henry)
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Prayer:
God of Peace: we pray for victory over the designs and devices of Satan –
+ that we may not be seduced by false teaching, that causes conflict and division among believers….
+ that we may not be ensnared by temptations, that keep us from living commendable godly lives….
+ that we may not be overcome by fears, that prevent us from living courageously by faith….
+ that we may not be stymied by weakness, instead of relying on your strength and wisdom….
God of Peace: we take you at your word, celebrating every small victory you give us now, and looking forward to the final defeat of Satan when Jesus comes again. Amen.
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“Enemy’s Camp” – Daywind
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Closing: Romans 16:19-20
I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 