Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 23 Sep 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
God most high, your ways are not our ways, for your kindness
is lavished equally upon all. Teach us to welcome your mercy toward others,
even as we hope to receive mercy ourselves. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen
Your mercy, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
(Psalm 36:5)
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 36
1 My heart shows me the wickedness of the ungodly; *
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own sight, *
until his abominable sin is found out.
3 The words of his mouth are unrighteous and full of deceit; *
he has left off behaving wisely and doing good.
4 He imagines mischief upon his bed, and has set himself in no good way; *
neither does he abhor anything that is evil.
5 Your mercy, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness stands like the strong mountains; your judgments are like the great deep; *
you, LORD, shall save both man and beast.
7 How excellent is your mercy, O God! *
The children of men shall take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of your house, *
and you shall give them drink from your pleasures as out of a river.
9 For with you is the well of life, *
and in your light shall we see light.
10 O continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, *
and your righteousness to those who are true of heart.
11 O let not the foot of the proud come against me, *
and let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down.
12 There have they fallen, all those who work wickedness; *
they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
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Psalm 36 – Exodus Road Band
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Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Proverbs 22
4 Respect and serve the Lord!
Your reward will be wealth,
a long life, and honor.
12 The Lord watches over everyone
who shows good sense,
but he frustrates the plans
of deceitful liars.
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Consider:
Your mercy, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, *
and your faithfulness to the clouds.
(Psalm 36:5)
Total depravity is not too strong a term to describe human wickedness. The sinner has “no fear of God.” Where that is wanting, how can there be any piety? And if there is no piety, there must be total want of right affections, and that is the very essence of depravity.
—William S. Plumer.
God’s Mercy
Divine mercy abides in its vastness of expanse, and matchless patience, all unaltered by the rebellions of man. When we can measure the heavens, then shall we bound the mercy of the Lord….
Far, far above all comprehension is the truth and faithfulness of God. He never fails, nor forgets, nor falters, nor forfeits his word. Afflictions are like clouds, but the divine truthfulness is all around them….
God’s dealings with men are not to be fathomed by every boaster who demands to see a why for every wherefore. The Lord is not to be questioned by us as to why this and why that. He has reasons, but he does not choose to submit them to our foolish consideration. Far and wide, terrible and irresistible like the ocean are the providential dispensations of God: at one time they appear as peaceful as the placid sea of glass; at another tossed with tempest and whirlwind, but evermore most glorious and full of mystery….
The Lord overshadows his people as a hen protects her brood, or as an eagle covers its young; and we as the little ones run under the blessed shelter and feel at rest. To cower down under the wings of God is so sweet. Although the enemy be far too strong for us, we have no fear, for we nestle under the Lord’s wing….
– Spurgeon
Q: Are you sheltering in place under the shadow of God’s wings?
Q: Are you seeking protection from the wickedness of godless people?
Q: Can you ask God to show them his mercy and lovingkindness?
Prayer:
+ For the Church Universal (William Laud)
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
+ For the Unrepentant
Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe, especially the ungodly creating chaos in the streets. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
+ For Mercy
Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Kyrie Eleison” – the Vineyard Worship
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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.
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