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.

Morning Reading: Psalm 22 (NLT)

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying,

“Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”

Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast. I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.

Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.

O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.

I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.

Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust. Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.
__________

Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Break into the darkness of our suffering, and shine the light of a new glorious day – even as you raised your Son, Jesus Christ, from “man of sorrows” to “King of endless glory.”

Hear the cries of your people in great distress –

+ who pray to you without ceasing
+ who suffer derision and mocking
+ whose enemies plot their destruction
+ whose strength is exhausted
+ who feel abandoned and alone

Still, Lord, they hold onto you –

+ their hearts yearn for you
+ their hope for deliverance is in you
+ they trust in you to save them

O Lord our God: Your Son, Jesus Christ, understands their heartache and suffering –

+ He, too, asked, “My God, why have you abandoned me?”
+ He, too, experienced our human weakness and vulnerability
+ He, too, suffered reproach, scorn and treachery
+ He, too, experienced physical pain and suffering even unto death

O Lord our God: Pour out your Spirit on your suffering people –

+ Lead them out of their darkness into your glorious light
+ Comfort them now; relieve their pain and and heal their wounds
+ Fill them with the strength and power of your risen Son
+ Remind them of their eternal destiny of heavenly glory

O Lord our God: Turn the heartfelt cries of your people into songs of worship and joy, we ask through your Son, Jesus Christ, for the honor and glory of your Name. Amen.
__________

“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Psalm 22)” – Diocese of St. Benedict

__________

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, 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!