Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 28 Oct 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the prayers of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“O you who love the LORD, see that you hate the thing which is evil;
the LORD preserves the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.”
(Psalm 97:10)
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.
__________
Psalm 97 – The Lord reigns– Jason Coghill
__________
The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)
“Psalm 97”
1 The LORD is King; let the earth be glad. *
Indeed, let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him; *
righteousness and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
3 There goes a fire before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings gave light to the world; *
the earth saw it and was afraid.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth.
6 The heavens have declared his righteousness, *
and all the people have seen his glory.
7 Confounded be all those who worship carved images, and who delight in false gods; *
worship him, all you gods.
8 Zion heard of it and rejoiced, *
and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you, LORD, are most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the LORD, see that you hate the thing which is evil; *
the LORD preserves the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
11 A light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
__________
Consider:
“O you who love the LORD, see that you hate the thing which is evil;
the LORD preserves the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.”
(Psalm 97:10)
Love and hate spring up from out of our hearts. A redeemed heart is conformed to the heart of Christ.
- The LORD hates evil – his fire consumes it, his lightnings blast it, his presence shakes it out of its place, and his glory confounds all the lovers of it.
- We cannot love God without hating that which he hates.
- We cannot be like God unless we love what he loves, and hate what he hates.
__ Spurgeon
Q: How do you express heartfelt love for God? What form does it take?
Q: Do you discern the presence of evil in the world around you? What form does it take?
Q: In practical terms, what would it mean for you to hate evil?
Q: What can you do to preserve and protect your soul?
__________
Proverbs (28) (The proverbs of Solomon)
2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
__________
Prayer
+ 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.
+ Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
+ Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen.
____
Psalm 97 – Ian White
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.
The Peanut Gallery 