Morning Prayer, Friday, 25 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

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,
and why are you so disquieted within me? O put your trust in God….
(Psalm 42:6-7)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 42

1 As the deer desires the water brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me, “Where now is your God?”

4 When I think upon these things, I pour out my heart, *
when I remember how I went with the multitude, and brought them into the house of God,
5 With the voice of praise and thanksgiving *
among those who keep holy day.
6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
7 O put your trust in God, *
for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
8 My soul is heavy within me; *
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from Mizar among the hills of Hermon.
9 One deep calls to another in the noise of your waterfalls; *
all your waves and storms have gone over me.

10 The LORD will grant his loving-kindness in the daytime; *
and in the night season will I sing of him, and make my prayer to the God of my life.

11 I will say to God my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? *
Why am I full of heaviness, while the enemy oppresses me?”
12 My bones are broken asunder, *
while my enemies mock me to my face,
13 While all day long they say to me, *
“Where now is your God?”

14 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
15 O put your trust in God, *
for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

__________

“Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call” – Joshua Huff

__________

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 25

4 Silver must be purified
before it can be used
to make something of value.
5 Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
with justice.

26 When a good person gives in
to the wicked,
it’s like dumping garbage
in a stream of clear water.

__________

Consider:

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,
and why are you so disquieted within me? O put your trust in God….
(Psalm 42:6-7)

[Psalm 42] is the cry of a man far removed from the outward ordinances and worship of God, sighing for the long loved house of his God; and at the same time it is the voice of a spiritual believer, under depressions, longing for the renewal of the divine presence, struggling with doubts and fears, but yet holding his ground by faith in the living God.

— Spurgeon

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?

 It is not God nor the devil that cast thee down; but Why dost thou cast thyself down? to create more trouble on thyself than either God doth inflict or the devil tempt thee to.

— Christopher Love

O put your trust in God

The word which is here rendered, [“trust”] denotes that expectation which is founded on faith in God, and which leads the soul to wait upon him.

—Henry March.

__________

Q: What’s troubling you? What’s disquieting your inner self?

Q: Can you remember a time when your worship was filled with praise and thanksgiving? What’s changed?

Q: How can you restore your joy? How can you worship with others? How can you worship in the presence of God?

__________

Though private prayer be a brave design
Yet public hath more promises, more love:
And love’s a weight to hearts, to eyes a sign.
We all are but cold suitors; let us move
Where it is warmest. Leave thy six and seven;
Pray with the most: for where most pray, is heaven.

—George Herbert, in “The Temple.”

Prayer:

+ For Our nation

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here from out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, sustain our trust in you; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

+ For the Discouraged and Downcast

O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him who for our sakes became poor, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ For Desiring God (Francis Xavier)

O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you seek you, and seeking you find you, and finding you be satisfied in you for ever. Amen.

__________

“Hallelujah” – 7 Hills Worship

__________

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.

__________

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