Tag: Daily Reading

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 27 Sep – Psalm 77 ~ In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord

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 77 (NLT) (A Psalm of Asaph)

I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Interlude

You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now. Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude

And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Interlude

When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths. The clouds poured down rain; the thunder rumbled in the sky. Your arrows of lightning flashed. Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world! The earth trembled and shook. Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You are the God of great wonders, the God who performs miracles. Hear our prayers –

+ for all who are living in dark times, times of great trouble…
+ for all who are grief stricken, refusing to be comforted…
+ for all who are overwhelmed, utterly broken down…

O Lord our God: You are the God of great wonders, the God who performs miracles. Hear our prayers –

+ remind us of your help in ages past…
+ remind us of your comfort in troubles past…
+ remind us of our days of rejoicing in your goodness…

O Lord our God: You are the God of great wonders, the God who performs miracles. Hear our prayers –

+ fix our hearts on your wondrous deeds…
+ fix our hearts on your holiness, your greatness…
+ fix our hearts on your redemption, your saving grace…

O Lord our God: You are the God of great wonders, the God who performs miracles. Fix our hearts on the Good Shepherd, your Son Jesus Christ, that we might be led out of our darkness into your glorious light – all to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“Psalm 77” (Lament) – Fellowship Worship [Seth shares a song of lament birthed out of Psalm 77 and walking through the process of both his family’s failed adoption and his friend’s ongoing struggle in a successful adoption.]

I cry aloud to God
aloud to God and He will hear me
In the day of my troubled soul I reach out and seek You,
Lord but I can’t feel You

In the night of my pain
darkness falls, questions rage
Have You forsaken?
O God, have You left me all alone?

You keep my eyes from sleep
so troubled I cannot speak a word
I consider the days of old
when I felt Your love and held Your hope
Where have they gone?

In the night of my pain
faith has fled, doubts remain
Have you forsaken?
O God, have You left me all alone?

Your ways, O God Your ways, O God, are holy Holy
Your ways, O God Your ways, O God, are holy You are holy
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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: Wed, 26 Sep – Psalm 76 ~ Who Can Stand Before You?

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 76 (NLT) (A Psalm of Asaph)

God is honored in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home. There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. Interlude

You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. Our boldest enemies have been plundered. They lie before us in the sleep of death. No warrior could lift a hand against us. At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob, their horses and chariots lay still.

No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes? From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you. You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude

Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon.

Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. For he breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You have delivered your people from their boldest enemies. Deliver us now from the wiles and deceit of evil people who attack our souls –

+ Destroy their evil thoughts, their unbelief, their love of sin, and their indifference…
+ Destroy their powers and authority to usurp your sovereignty and deny your justice…
+ Destroy their ability to reassert themselves and complete your deliverance…

O Lord our God: You have delivered your people from their boldest enemies. Deliver us now from the wiles and deceit of evil people who attack our souls –

+ Fill us with holy fear as we witness your mercy and deliverance…
+ Fill us with holy fear as we disdain the wrath of our enemies…
+ Fill us with holy fear as we approach you in worship and praise…

O Lord our God: You have delivered your people from their boldest enemies. Deliver us now from the wiles and deceit of evil people who attack our souls – through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 76” (I can sleep at night) – Steven Degeorge


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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, 25 Sep – Psalm 75 ~ We thank you, O God, because you are near.

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 75 (NLT) (A Psalm of Asaph)

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.

God says, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. Interlude

“I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’ I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists! Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.’” For no one on earth—from east or west, or even from the wilderness—should raise a defiant fist. It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall. For the Lord holds a cup in his hand that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours out the wine in judgment, and all the wicked must drink it, draining it to the dregs.

But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.”
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: In your strength we are strong; in your presence we are courageous –

+ For you are always near to help us in our times of trouble…
+ For your wondrous works display your care and your sovereign grace…

O Lord our God: Pour out your Spirit on us that we may be fearless –

+ Give us thankful hearts that we may remember your mercies…
+ Give us wisdom and sound judgement that we may judge honestly…
+ Give us clarity that we may discern truth over falsehood…
+ Give us cheerful attitudes that we may fulfill our responsibilities…
+ Give us boldness that we may bear witness against the wicked…
+ Give us joy that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways…
+ Give us justice that we may be vindicated, right triumphing over wrong…

O Lord our God: We come to your throne of grace to receive mercy and help in this our time of need – through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 75” (Unto Thee) – Jessi Colter


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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: Mon, 24 Sep – Psalm 74 ~ Rise up, O God, and defend your cause.

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 74 (NLT) (A Psalm of Asaph)

O God, why have you rejected us so long? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture? Remember that we are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth. Walk through the awful ruins of the city; see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.

There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries; there they set up their battle standards. They swung their axes like woodcutters in a forest. With axes and picks, they smashed the carved paneling. They burned your sanctuary to the ground. They defiled the place that bears your name. Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!” So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.

We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when it will end. How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you? Will you let them dishonor your name forever? Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.

You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him. You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry. Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.

See how these enemies insult you, Lord. A foolish nation has dishonored your name. Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Don’t forget your suffering people forever.

Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence! Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.

Arise, O God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long. Don’t overlook what your enemies have said or their growing uproar.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You are the Sovereign Author of all life; and you pour out your favor on tribes and nations as you see fit. We do not ask for most favored nation status, the position reserved for your people Israel. But we do ask that you would restore our nation to the God-given principles upon which it was founded, and to enable us to live responsibly within those boundaries and obligations –

+ Guide us through this period of national calamity…
+ Deliver us from the wiles and deceit of evil people…
+ Raise up people of faith and goodwill who trust in you…
+ Expose and put to shame the wicked people among us…

O Lord our God: Your enemies are our enemies; protect the innocent and defend the honor of your name –

+ That we may be restored as “One Nation Under God”…
+ That every citizen may acknowledge your Lordship over all of life…
+ That citizens of diverse backgrounds might love one another…
+ That citizens of diverse backgrounds might seek the common good…

O Lord our God: Let your Kingdom come and your will be done among us. May your cause be our cause, for you alone are our only hope. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 74” – Chris Kopko


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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.

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 23 Sep – Mark 9:30-37 ~ on becoming the servant of all

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

O God, protector of the poor and defender of the just, in your kingdom the last become first, the gentle are strong, and the lowly exalted. Give us wisdom from above, that we may find in your Son Jesus the pattern of true servanthood and the grace to persevere in following him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Grateful” – Elevation Worship


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Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37 (NLT)

Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

God of power and might: in Christ Jesus, you emptied yourself of all your prerogatives and became the servant of all. Receive us into your presence through his saving grace, and hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders – that they may emulate his example as they serve their constituencies…
+ For all who follow Jesus – that we may learn to put the interests of others first…
+ For all who are persecuted – that they may be delivered from evil and find safe haven…
+ For all who are dispossessed – that they may receive the help needed for restoration…
+ For all who are weak and vulnerable – that they may be happily welcomed into your family…
+ For all who are seeking peace in conflict – that they may find a just and honorable way…
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may experience your perfect, eternal, peace…

God of power and might, you uphold our lives and keep us in your care, help us in these our needs, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Psalm 23” (I Am Not Alone) – People & Songs


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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!