Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 04 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.”
(Psalm 104:30)

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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Psalm 104 (Live) – Eddie Robinson · Mount Olive Fort Lauderdale

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 104”

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul. *

O LORD my God, you have become exceedingly glorious; you are clothed with majesty and honor.
2 You clothe yourself with light as with a garment, *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
3 You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters, *
and make the clouds your chariot, and walk upon the wings of the wind.
4 You make winds your messengers, *
and flames of fire your ministers.

5 You laid the foundations of the earth, *
that it never should move at any time.
6 You cover it with the deep as with a garment; *
the waters stand above the hills.
7 At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
8 They went up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath, *
even to the place you had appointed for them.
9 You have set bounds for them which they shall not pass; *
neither shall they again cover the earth.

10 You send the springs into the rivers, *
which run among the hills.
11 All beasts of the field drink thereof, *
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them shall the birds of the air have their habitation *
and sing among the branches.
13 You water the hills from above; *
the earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
14 You bring forth grass for the cattle, *
and plants for the service of mankind,
15 That they may bring food out of the earth, and wine that makes glad the heart, *
and oil to make a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen the heart.
16 The trees of the LORD also are full of sap, *
even the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,
17 Wherein the birds make their nests, *
and the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, *
and so are the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.

19 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows its going down.
20 You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest move.
21 The lions, roaring after their prey, *
seek their meat from God.
22 The sun arises, and they go away together, *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work, *
and to his labor until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works; *
in wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25 So is the great and wide sea also, *
in which are things creeping innumerable, creatures both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
whom you made to take its pleasure therein.

27 These all wait upon you, *
that you may give them food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it, *
and when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are troubled; *
when you take away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.
30 When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made, *
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

31 The glorious majesty of the LORD shall endure for ever; *
the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
if he even touches the hills, they shall smoke.

33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being,
34 And so shall my words please him; *
my joy shall be in the LORD.
35 As for sinners, they shall perish from the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end. *

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Praise the LORD.

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Consider:

“When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.”
(Psalm 104:30)

• The works of the Lord are majestically simple, and are performed with royal ease—a breath creates, and its withdrawal destroys. If we read the word spirit, it is also instructive, for we see the Divine Spirit going forth to create life in nature even as we see him in the realms of grace.
• At the flood the world was stripped of almost all life, yet how soon the power of God refilled the desolate places! In winter the earth falls into a sleep which makes her appear worn and old, but how readily does the Lord awaken her with the voice of spring, and make her put on anew the beauty of her youth. You, Lord, do all things, and let glory be unto your name.

__ Spurgeon

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• Man alone amongst the creatures grieves God, and brought tears from the eyes of Christ, who rejoiced in Spirit, because the Father had deigned to reveal the mysteries to the little ones. God repented that he had made men, because as a wise son makes a glad father, so a foolish one is a vexation to him.

—Lorinus.

Consider the world around you, the immediate world in which you live day to day.

Q: Can you distinguish between those who are living wise and foolish lives? How?

Q: Can you distinguish between the wise and foolish thoughts, feelings, and actions in your own life?

Q: Where do you need God to send forth His renewing Spirit in your immediate world? …in your life?

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Proverbs (04) (The wisdom of Solomon)

1 My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2 for I am giving you good guidance.

23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.

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Prayer

+ Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: I pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here from many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, preserve our trust in you; all of which I ask through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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Psalm 104: Lord, Send out Your Spirit – Ken Canedo

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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.