Morning Prayer, Friday, 18 Sep 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Gracious God: without You I am unable to please You.
Mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may rule and direct my heart in all things;
through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The LORD is my shepherd; therefore I can lack nothing.
(Psalm 23:1)
Preparation:
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; *
therefore I can lack nothing.
2 He shall feed me in green pastures *
and lead me forth beside the waters of
comfort.
3 He shall refresh my soul *
and bring me forth in the paths of
righteousness for his Name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, *
for you are with me; your rod and your staff
comfort me.
5 You shall prepare a table before me, in the
presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil, and my
cup shall be full.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
for ever.
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Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) – People & Songs
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Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Proverbs 17
3 Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the Lord.
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Consider: “I can lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)
I can lack nothing is both a declaration and a decision.
- declaration: “I declare that all my needs are supplied by the LORD, my shepherd.”
- decision: “I decide to not want more than what the LORD, my shepherd gives.”
” The wicked always want, but the righteous never;
a sinner’s heart is far from satisfaction,
but a gracious spirit dwells in the palace of content.”
(Spurgeon)
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Prayer:
+ Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he conquered death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
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Surely Goodness & Mercy – Shane & Shane / Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
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Blessing:
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.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 