Category: Life around the World

Morning Prayer: Thursday,12 Nov 2020 – Psalms (115) and Proverbs (12) ~ Not to us, O LORD, but to your Name

Morning Prayer: Thursday,12 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your Name give the praise,
for your loving mercy and for your truth’s sake.
Why shall the nations say, “Where now is their God?”“
(Psalm 115:1-2)

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 115” Trust in God – Teshuva – Hallel

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 115”

1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your Name give the praise, *
for your loving mercy and for your truth’s sake.
2 Why shall the nations say, *
“Where now is their God?”
3 As for our God, he is in heaven; *
he has done whatsoever pleased him.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, *
even the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not; *
eyes have they, but they see not.
6 They have ears, but they hear not; *
noses have they, but they smell not.
7 They have hands, but they feel not; feet have they, but they walk not; *
neither is there any sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.

9 But you, O house of Israel, trust in the LORD; *
he is their helper and defender.
10 You house of Aaron, put your trust in the LORD; *
he is their helper and defender.
11 You who fear the LORD, put your trust in the LORD; *
he is their helper and defender.

12 The LORD has been mindful of us, and he shall bless us; *
he shall bless the house of Israel; he shall bless the house of Aaron;
13 He shall bless those who fear the LORD, *
both small and great together.

14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, *
you and your children after you.
15 You are the blessed of the LORD, *
who has made heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the LORD’s; *
the earth has he given to the children of men.
17 The dead praise you not, O LORD, *
neither all those who go down into silence.
18 But we will praise the LORD, *
from this time forth for evermore.

Praise the LORD.

__________

Proverbs (12)  (The Wisdom of Solomon)

2 The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

3 Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.

28 The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death.

__________

Consider:

“Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your Name give the praise,
for your loving mercy and for your truth’s sake.
Why shall the nations say, “Where now is their God?”“
(Psalm 115:1-2)

Not to us, O LORD, but to your Name

  • Human beings have a natural tendency to self idolatry, i.e. to glorifying ourselves…. To the extent that we take credit for success, be it by hard work or clever planning, we detract from God.

—Stephen Charnock.

  • Self and God are the two things that come in competition. Now there are several sorts of self; there is carnal self, natural self, spiritual self, and glorified self; above all these God must have the preeminence.

—Thomas Manton.

Their gods are man-made idols

  • The god of modern thought is the creation of the thinker himself, evolved out of his own consciousness, or fashioned according to his own notion of what a god should be.
  • A god who can be fashioned by our own thoughts is no more a God than the image manufactured or produced by our own hands.
  • The true God must of necessity be his own revealer.
  • Their idols are blinded reason and diseased thought, the product of men’s muddled brains, and they will come to nothing.

__ Spurgeon

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Prayer –

+ Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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“Psalm 115” (Heavenly Father) – Ken Kalambay

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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.

__________

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

Morning Prayer: Wednesday,11 Nov 2020 – Psalms (113) and Proverbs (11) ~ Who is like the LORD our God?

Morning Prayer, Wednesday,11 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Who is like the LORD our God, who has his dwelling so high,
and yet humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?”
(Psalm 113:5)

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 113” – Marcus Ahrend, Friends of Jesus

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 113”

1 Praise the LORD.

Sing praises, you servants of the LORD; *
O praise the Name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the Name of the LORD, *
from this time forth for evermore.
3 The LORD’s Name be praised *
from the rising up of the sun to the going down of the same.
4 The LORD is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the LORD our God, who has his dwelling so high, *
and yet humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?
6 He takes up the lowly out of the dust, *
and lifts the poor out of the ashes,
7 That he may set them with the princes, *
even with the princes of his people.
8 He gives the barren woman a home to dwell in, *
and makes her to be a joyful mother of children.

Praise the LORD.

__________

Proverbs (11)  (The Wisdom of Solomon)

5 The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.

7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
for they rely on their own feeble strength.

21 Evil people will surely be punished,
but the children of the godly will go free.

__________

Consider:

“Who is like the LORD our God, who has his dwelling so high,
and yet humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?”
(Psalm 113:5)

Only in Jesus is the Godhead seen, but he unhesitatingly declared “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”

“Who dwelleth on high.” In the height of his abode none can be like him. His throne, his whole character, his person, his being, everything about him, is lofty, and infinitely majestic, so that none can be likened unto him. His serene mind abides in the most elevated condition, he is never dishonored, nor does he stoop from the pure holiness and absolute perfection of his character. His saints are said to dwell on high, and in this they are the reflection of his glory; but as for himself, the height of his dwelling place surpasses thought, and he rises far above the most exalted of his glorified people.

____

Heathen philosophers could not believe that the great God was observant of the small events of human history; they pictured him as abiding in serene indifference to all the wants and woes of his creatures. “Our Rock is not as their rock;” we have a God who is high above all gods, and yet who is our Father, knowing what we have need of before we ask him; our Shepherd, who supplies our needs; our Guardian, who counts the hairs of our heads; our tender and considerate Friend, who sympathizes in all our griefs. Truly the name of our condescending God should be praised wherever it is known.

__ Spurgeon

Q: What comes to mind when you think of God enthroned above the heavens?

Q: What comes to mind when you think of the majesty and holiness of God?

Q: What comes to mind when you think of the humility of Jesus?

He became like us, so that we could become like him.

Q What did he give up in order to become like us?

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Prayer –

+ I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen. (John Wesley)

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“Who Is Like The Lord Our God” – Wendell Kimbrough

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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.

__________

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

Morning Prayer: Tuesday,10 Nov 2020 – Psalms (112) and Proverbs (10) ~ Blessed is the one who fears the LORD

Morning Prayer, Tuesday,10 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Blessed is the one who fears the LORD….
For he shall never be moved…. He will not be afraid of any evil tidings,
for his heart is steadfast and trusts in the LORD.
(Psalm 112:1,6-7)

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.

__________

“Psalm 112” (He Will Never Be Shaken) – Eden’s Bridge

Who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

He whose walk is blameless
He will never be shaken

He who does what is righteous
He will never be shaken

He who speaks the truth in his heart
He will never be shaken

He who does his neighbors no wrong
He will never be shaken

He who will despise the vile
He will never be shaken;

Honors those who fear the Lord
He will never be shaken

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 112”

1 Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the one who fears the LORD, *
who has great delight in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3 Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, *
and his righteousness shall endure for ever.
4 For the upright, there rises light in the darkness; *
he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5 It is good for him to be generous in lending *
and to guide his words with discretion.
6 For he shall never be moved, *
and the righteous shall be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7 He will not be afraid of any evil tidings, *
for his heart is steadfast and trusts in the LORD.
8 His heart is established, and will not fear; *
at the last he shall see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has given freely to the poor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.
10 The ungodly shall see it, and shall be angry; *
he shall gnash his teeth, and waste away; the desire of the ungodly shall perish.

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Proverbs (10)  (The Wisdom of Solomon)

25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation.

27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.

__________

Consider:

“Blessed is the one who fears the LORD….
For he shall never be moved…. He will not be afraid of any evil tidings,
for his heart is steadfast and trusts in the LORD.
(Psalm 112:1,6-7)

God is here praised for the manifestation of his glory which is seen in his people, just as in the preceding psalm he was magnified for his own personal acts. The hundred and eleventh speaks of the great Father, and this describes his children renewed after his image. The psalm cannot be viewed as the extolling of man, for it begins with “Praise ye the Lord;” and it is intended to give to God all the honor of his grace which is manifested in the sons of God.

He shall never be moved

God has rooted and established him so that neither men nor devils shall sweep him from his place.

    • His prosperity shall be permanent, and not like that of the gambler and the cheat, whose gains are evanescent….
    • His reputation shall be bright and lustrous from year to year, for it is not a mere pretense….
    • His home shall be permanent, and he shall not need to wander from place to place as a bird that wanders from her nest…
    • His memory shall be abiding, for a good man is not soon forgotten, and “the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”

None of us likes the idea of being forgotten, and yet the only way to avoid it is to be righteous before God.

He shall not be afraid of bad news

Rumors and reports he despises; prophecies of evil, vented by fanatical mouths, he ridicules; actual and verified information of loss and distress he bears with equanimity, resigning everything into the hands of God.

He is neither fickle nor cowardly; when he is undecided as to his course he is still fixed in heart: he may change his plan, but not the purpose of his soul. His heart being fixed in solid reliance upon God, a change in his circumstances but slightly affects him; faith has made him firm and steadfast, and therefore if the worst should come to the worst, he would remain quiet and patient, waiting for the salvation of God.

__ Spurgeon

Q: How have you handled bad news? Has it shaken your trust in God?

Q: What do you know about God that gives strengthens your resolve to trust him?

Q: Are you willing to submit yourself to God’s will, regardless of the news?

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Prayer –

+ For Trust: Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For Quiet Confidence: O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For Submission to God’s Will: O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen.

+ For the Coming of God’s  Kingdom: Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

__________

“We Will Not Be Shaken” – Brian Johnson

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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.

__________

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

Morning Prayer: Monday,09 Nov 2020 – Psalms (111) and Proverbs (09) ~ Praise the LORD wholeheartedly!

Morning Prayer, Monday,09 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Praise the LORD.
I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart, 
in the company of the upright, and among the congregation.”
(Psalm 111:1)

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.

__________

(Psalm 111) – Nathan Clark George

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 111”

1 Praise the LORD.

I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart, *
in the company of the upright, and among the congregation.
2 The works of the LORD are great, *
sought out by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is worthy to be praised and held in honor, *
and his righteousness endures for ever.
4 He has made his marvelous works to be had in remembrance; *
The LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He has given food to those who fear him; *
he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, *
that he may give them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *
all his commandments are true.
8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
and are done in truth and equity.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; *
a good understanding have all those who live accordingly; his praise endures for ever.

__________

Proverbs (09)  (The Wisdom of Solomon)

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

11 Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life.
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

__________

Consider:

“Praise the LORD.
I will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart, 
in the company of the upright, and among the congregation.”
(Psalm 111:1)

Praise the LORD wholeheartedly!

With undivided affections; holding back nothing. I will allow nothing to be in my heart that would interfere with the fullness of praise; no coldness or dividedness of affection; no love for other things that would deaden my love for God; no suspicion respecting him that would chill my ardor; no unbelief that would drag me down to earth, while the language of my lips ascended to God.

__ Barnes

The works of the LORD are great.

 They are like himself; there is nothing in them that is mean or trifling. They are the products of infinite wisdom and power… They astonish and strike us with awe the moment we behold them. Every one of them, whether in the natural or spiritual system, is marvelous.

  • They are pleasurable; delighting all who love him….
  • They are just and holy; displaying his righteousness….
  • They are memorable; refocusing our attention on him….
  • They are gracious and full of compassion; pardoning our sin…
  • They are covenantal; promises made / promises kept….
  • They are good; worthy of endless praise….

__ Matthew Henry

Wholehearted praise and reverence for God leads to sound judgement and wise living; and, sound judgement and wise living lead to long life.

Q: What prevents you from giving the LORD your  whole-hearted praise?

Q: When you think of the LORD’s marvelous works, what comes to mind?

Q: Which of these give you pleasure the more you think about them?

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Prayer – A Litany of Thanksgiving

Give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us:

+ For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For health and strength to work, and time to rest and worship,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For all who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For all who earnestly seek after truth, and all who labor for justice,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For all that is good and gracious in the lives of men and women,
revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

+ For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises
given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father,
and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen

__________

“Psalm 111/112” – MIQEDEM

___________

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.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 08 Nov 2020: Amos 5:18-24, Matthew25:1-13 ~ “Stay awake and be ready.”

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 08 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“So you, too, must keep watch!
For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
(Matthew 25:13)

__________

Psalm 63 – Mount Paran Church Choir, Atlanta, GA

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Prayer for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

A Reading from the Prophets: Amos 5:18-24 (NLT)

Warning of Coming Judgment

What sorrow awaits you who say,
“If only the day of the Lord were here!”
You have no idea what you are wishing for.
That day will bring darkness, not light.
In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion—
only to meet a bear.
Escaping from the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house—
and he’s bitten by a snake.
Yes, the day of the Lord will be dark and hopeless,
without a ray of joy or hope.

“I hate all your show and pretense—
the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.
I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.
Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
an endless river of righteous living.

__________

Oh Lord You’re Beautiful – Spontaneous Worship (Heartcry of David Collective) in Tarporley, UK

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew25:1-13 (NLT)

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

“”All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

__________

Behold You have come
Over the hills
Upon the mountains
To me You have run
My beloved
You’ve captured my heart

With You I will go
You are my love
You are my fair one
Winter is past
And the springtime has come

Dance with me
O lover of my soul
To the song of all songs
Romance me
O lover of my soul
To the song of all songs

Dance With Me/Glory Come Down – (Heartcry of David Collective)
Jewish & Gentile artists worshipping Jesus from rooftop in Jerusalem

Open the heavens
Let Your glory come down
My heart burns for You, Jesus
For Your presence, for Your holy fire }

And consume me with Your fire
And all my desire burn for You, burn for You }

Dance with me
O lover of my soul
To the song of all songs
Romance me
O lover of my soul
To the song of all songs

__________

Prayer:

+ For the Church: Gracious Father, we pray for your holy 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 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.

+ For Trust: Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For watchfulness: Thou, who with thine own mouth hast told us that at midnight the bridegroom shall come: Grant that the cry, “The bridegroom cometh!” may sound evermore in our ears, that so we be never unprepared to meet him, or forgetful of the souls for whom he died, for whom we watch and pray. And save us, O Lord. Amen.

+ For Christ’s Return: Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

__________

Majesty – Heartcry of David Collective

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Closing – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (NLT)

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.

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