Praying the Psalms: Wed, 12 Sep – Psalm 64 ~ Hide me from the plots of this evil mob.

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 64 (NLT)

O God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies’ threats. Hide me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrongdoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.

But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down. Their own tongues will ruin them, and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. Then everyone will be afraid; they will proclaim the mighty acts of God and realize all the amazing things he does. The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: We are unable to defend ourselves against wicked people and pervasive evil rampaging across our land. Our only hope is in you –

+ Cover us with your shield of protection…
+ Rescue us from our grief and despair…
+ Listen to the cries of the poor and dispossed…
+ Deliver us from our own sinfulness and selfishness…
+ Expose the schemes and inhumanity of our enemies…
+ Convert their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh…
+ Set right the misapplication of human power…

O Lord our God: You alone are the Righteous Judge. Execute your justice and avenge your enemies and the perpetrators of evil among us. Entrap them in their own snares. Shine your light on their lies and secret plans. And overcome evil with good through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God over all, for ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 64” – Smokie Norful

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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, 11 Sep – Psalm 63 ~ Those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.

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 63 (NLT)

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals. But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear to tell the truth will praise him, while liars will be silenced.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Our souls thirst for you, the living God, in the midst of our devastation and ruin. Only you can satisfy the deep longing of our souls; hear your people crying out to you today – come to their rescue and heal their broken hearts –

+ for you have always loved us; display your loving-kindness now…
+ for you have always been our helper; have mercy on us now…
+ for you have always been with us; draw ever closer to us now…
+ for you have always disciplined those you love; conform us to your will…

O Lord our God: Our souls thirst for you, the living God, in the midst of our devastation and ruin. Show us your power and glory and satisfy the deep longing of our souls through your Son, Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 63” (Better Than Life) – Shane and Shane

O God You’re my God, I seek You | Oh my soul it longs for You
My flesh faints for You in this land | This dry land where there is no drink
I’ve looked upon You in this place | Beholding your power and glory, Lord

Because Your love is better than life is | I will praise You as long as I’m alive
And in the face of precious Jesus | Oh my soul will be satisfied

You have been my help
In the shadow of Your wings
I’ll sing with joy

I’ll sing
I’ll sing
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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, 10 Sep – Psalm 62 ~ I wait quietly before God

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 62 (NLT)

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

So many enemies against one man—all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.

Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You alone are the Rock of our Salvation; we palce our trust in you alone –

+ Forgive us for trusting in other people…
+ Forgive us for trusting in our national leaders…
+ Forgive us for trusting in worldly wisdom…
+ Forgive us for trusting in our wealth…

O Lord our God: You alone are trustworthy and faithful in every circumstance –

+ You alone inspire confidence and hope…
+ You alone watch over us in times of prosperity and adversity…
+ You alone understand the workings of our hearts…
+ You alone hear our prayers and respond with mercy and loving-kindness…

O Lord our God: We take comfort and rejoice in your goodness in times of abundance and plenty; make us just as steadfast in joy during times of want, deprivation, and disaster. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“My Soul Finds Rest In God Alone” (Psalm 62) – Aaron Keyes

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 09 Sep – ears to hear

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of power and compassion, in Christ you reveal your will to heal and to save. Open our ears to your redeeming word and move our hearts by the strength of your love, so that our every word and work may proclaim as Messiah Jesus the Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“What Joy” (Psalm 146) – Sarah Emerson

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Gospel Reading: Mark 7:31-37 (NLT)

Jesus left Tyre and went up to Sidon before going back to the Sea of Galilee and the region of the Ten Towns. A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him.

Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

God of power and compassion, you raise up those who are bowed down; our confidence is in you as we bring forward our prayers –

+ For believers gathered together around the world — that all may be welcomed without distinction…
+ For believers gathered together around the world — that we may work to end discrimination and division…
+ For people with difficulties with language and speech — that patient, believing friends may encourage them…
+ For those who cannot hear well — that patient, believing friends may be sensitive to their needs…
+ For an end to the war in Syria – that believers may return and rebuild their broken country…
+ For those who are dislocated and dispossessed – that believers may offer refuge and comfort…
+ For those who have died in Christ, especially through war and violence – that they may rest safely in your presence forever…

Healing God, you pour out your love on those who cry to you for help; raise us up by your grace and support us in our needs, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Isaiah 35” – Vinesong

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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, 08 Sep – Psalm 61 ~ lead me to the towering rock of safety

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 61 (NLT)

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude

For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name. Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him. Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Hear the cries of your people throughout the world – those who are overwhelmed by pain and suffering. You alone are their shield and defender –

+ those who are isolated from friends and family…
+ those who are held captive with no way of escape…
+ Those who are dislocated and dispossessed…
+ those who have trusted in you for safety…
+ those who have experienced your mercy in the past…
+ those who have experienced your deliverance in the past…

O Lord our God: You have made covenant with your people through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. We trust in your promise of life abundant and eternal. Pour out your Spirit of mercy and truth that all your people may live safely in your presence – in Jesus’ name we ask it. Amen.
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“Psalm 61” – Terry Clark