Praying the Psalms: Wed, 17 Oct – Psalm 94 ~ Let your glorious justice shine forth!

Praying the Psalms

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

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 94 (NLT)

O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! Arise, O Judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve.

How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast? They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own. They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans. “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.”

Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes? He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you? He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing? The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!

Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions. You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked. The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. Judgment will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it.

Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The Lord our God will destroy them.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Give the wicked their just deserts, for they have persecuted the godly with their unbelief, foolishness and brutality.

+ in your mercy, use their evil intentions for our good….
+ in your mercy, provide us with respite for their oppression….
+ in your mercy, entrap the wicked in their own snares….

O Lord our God: Give justice to the godly, to those you claim as your own. Help us in our time of trouble, deliver us from evil and direct us on the path of Life through your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen.
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“Our Stronghold”, inspired by Psalm 94 – Lesley McFerron, composed by Chuck Marohnic

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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.

Praying the Psalms: Tue, 16 Oct – Psalm 93 ~ The Lord is king!

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 93 (NLT)

The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore—the Lord above is mightier than these!

Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Your reign over heaven and earth is permanent, established forever –

+ for you quiet the tumult of rebellious people…
+ for you repel their wrath and rage, their insurrection…
+ for you turn their wickedness into praise of your Name…

O Lord our God: You are faithful in the wind and the rain, and the floods of life; we rely on the truth of your Word. Give us wisdom and strength to readily obey you as your Spirit leads us that you might be glorified. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Psalm 93” (The Flood) – Jason Silver

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Mon, 15 Oct – Psalm 92 ~ Sing praises to the Most High!

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 92 (NLT) (A song to be sung on the Sabbath Day.)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre.

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this: Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever. Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish; all evildoers will be scattered. But you have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents. But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare,

“The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”

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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Thank you for your unfailing love and faithfulness –

+ we sing praises to your Name with glad and grateful hearts….
+ we bless you for seeing us through periods of darkness and pain….
+ we trust you for protection and the defeat of our enemies….

O Lord our God: You rule over all with justice, truth and grace –

+ for you fill us with joy and peace….
+ for you punish the unrepentant with the certainty of death…
+ for you reward the righteous with the abundance of life….

O Lord our God: You bless your people through your Son, Jesus Christ, in whom we trust. Continue in us the good work you have begun that we may flourish in beauty, permanence, glory, and strength and live with you forever. We ask this in his Name. Amen.
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“Psalm 92” (Lord, it is good to give you thanks.) – Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philipines

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost – 14 Oct – Mark 10:17-31 ~ no easy way in

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of wisdom, whose word probes the motives of our hearts, with you all things are possible. Let worldly treasure not keep us from Jesus, who looks on us with love. Free us to leave all things and follow him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Rejoice The Lord Is King” – the Generations Gospel Choir (Tommy Walker)

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Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31 (NLT)

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

Gracious God, with you all things are possible: show us your mercy and help us in this our time of need. Lord, hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders – that they may exhibit strength and wisdom as they guide your people….
+ For all believers- that we may exhibit wisdom and sound judgement in our decision-making….
+ For new believers – that they may grow in understanding of your Word and Spirit….
+ For believers who have left everything to follow Jesus – that they may not give up….
+ For rich believers – that we may share our resources with the needy, freely and joyfully….
+ For poor believers – that they may receive our gifts graciously and use them wisely….
+ For believers who are sick – that they may receive comfort and healing…
+ For believers who have died – that they may enter your Kingdom and experience its glory forever….

Gracious God, your favor shines out upon us, you give success to the work of our hands: help us according to our needs, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Kingdom Come” – Darlene Zschech

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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 13 Oct – Psalm 91 ~ God is my safe space.

Praying the Psalms

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 91 (NLT)

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You are our safe space –

+ for you shelter us in your secret place…
+ for you protect us in your shadow…
+ for you hide us in your fortress…
+ for you restore our confidence…
+ for you fill us with joy…

O Lord our God: You overcome our fears –

+ for you deliver us from hidden foes…
+ for you shield us from our enemies…
+ for you relieve us from our night terrors…
+ for you rescue us from the jaws of death…

O Lord our God: You alone deliver us from evil through your Son, Jesus Christ. Fix our eyes on him, the author and finisher of our faith that we might live in the safety of your presence, now and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 91” – Sons of Korah