Morning Prayer: Friday, 20 Nov 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“Blessed are all those who fear the LORD *
and walk in his ways.”
(Psalm 128:1)
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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(Ps 128) – Sons of Korah
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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)
“Psalm 128”
1 Blessed are all those who fear the LORD *
and walk in his ways.
2 For you shall eat of the labors of your hands; *
it shall be well with you, and happy you shall be.
3 Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine *
upon the walls of your house,
4 Your children like the olive branches *
round about your table.
5 Indeed, thus shall the man be blessed *
who fears the LORD.
6 May the LORD bless you out of Zion; *
may you see Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long.
7 May you see your children’s children, *
and may there be peace upon Israel.
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Proverbs 20
7 The godly walk with integrity;
blessed are their children who follow them.
24 The Lord directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?
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Consider:
“Blessed are all those who fear the LORD *
and walk in his ways.”
(Psalm 128:1)
Fear God and prosper!
- The fear of God is the corner stone of all blessedness. We must reverence the ever blessed God before we can be blessed ourselves. Some think that this life is an evil, an infliction, a thing upon which rests a curse; but it is not so; the God fearing man has a present blessing resting upon him.
- This is true of every one of the God fearing, of all conditions, in all ages: each one and every one is blessed. Their blessedness may not always be; seen by carnal reason, but it is always a fact, for God himself declares that it is so; and we know that those whom he blesses are blessed indeed.
- God’s ways will be our ways if we have a sincere reverence for him: if the heart is joined unto God, the feet will follow hard after him. A man’s heart will be seen in his walk, and the blessing will come where heart and walk are both with God.
__ Spurgeon
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- Lord, let thy blessing so accompany my endeavors in their offspring, that all my sons may be Benaiahs, the Lord’s building, and then they will all be Abners, their father’s light; and that all my daughters may be Bethins, the Lord’s daughters, and then they will all be Abigails, their father’s joy.
—George Swinnock.
Q: Do you consider yourself to be a God-fearing person? What does that mean?
Q: Are you walking in God’s ways? How does that work out from day to day?
Q: Have you experienced God’s blessing over your life? In what way?
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Prayer:
+ For our Families
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness.
Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ For our Children
Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Watch over and protect them, and strengthen them in Christ Jesus so that they will never know a day apart from you. Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
+ For our Marriages
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Bless our marriages, so that we may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that our homes may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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The Blessing – Passion City Church
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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.