Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 14 Oct 2020

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

Opening:

God of goodness and kindness, you invite all peoples to the banquet and offer them a feast beyond compare. Give us your saving grace to keep unstained the robe of our baptism until that day when you welcome us to heaven’s joyful table. 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.

“Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, *
and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.”

(Psalm 67:5-6)

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.

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 67

1 May God be merciful unto us, and bless us, *
and show us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us.

2 Let your way be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
indeed, let all the peoples praise you.
4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad, *
for you shall judge the peoples righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.

5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, *
and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
7 God shall bless us, *
and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

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“Psalm 67” – A Song for All Peoples – Steven Faux (Ugandan dancing)

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 14 (The proverbs of Solomon)

34 Godliness makes a nation great,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.

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Consider:

“Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, *
and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.”

(Psalm 67:5-6)

Let all the peoples praise you, O God

There will be a time “when the nations (all the peoples) shall be converted and brought to praise God…. They will call God their God.

__ Matthew Henry

Nations never will be glad till they follow the leadership of the great Shepherd; they may shift their modes of government from monarchies to republics, and from republics to communes, but they will retain their wretchedness till they bow before the Lord of all…. Whole nations will do this when Jesus reigns over them in the power of his grace.

__ Spurgeon

Then…   God shall give us his blessing

• There are a people in the world that can, upon good grounds, call God their God.
• Believers have reason to glory in their relation to God and the interest they have in him.
• Those who through grace call God their own may with a humble confidence expect a blessing from him.
• If he be our God, he will bless us with special blessings.

The blessing of God, as ours in covenant, is that which sweetens all our creature-comforts to us, and makes them comforts indeed; then we receive the increase of the earth as a mercy indeed when with it God, even our own God, gives us his blessing.

__ Spurgeon

Q: Does your nation claim God as “their God?” On what grounds?

Q: Would you describe your nation as being Judeo-Christian?

Q: What role does Christ have in your nation’s claims/identity?

Q: What is the dominant religious orientation in your nation?

Q: How is it all working out?

Prayer:

+ For the Church Universal

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Church around the World. 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 Peace in the World

Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For the United States of America

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 this land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here from many kindreds and tongues.

Grant the spirit of wisdom to those whom, in your Name, we entrust with 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, preserve our trust in you; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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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“Doxology”  – Alton Eugene – Maverick City Music

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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.