Morning Prayer: Wednesday 30 Sep 2020 – Psalms (49) and Proverbs (30) ~ But God shall deliver my soul.

Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 30 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

O merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“God shall save me from the power of death,
for he shall deliver my soul.”
(Psalm 49:16)

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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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 49

Don’t Depend on Wealth

1 Hear this, all you peoples; *
ponder it with your ears, all who dwell in the world,
2 High and low, rich and poor, *
everyone with his neighbor.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
and my heart shall muse on understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a parable, *
and declare my dark sayings with the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of wickedness, *
and when the wicked at my heels encompass me round about?
6 There are some who put their trust in their goods, *
and boast in the multitude of their riches.
7 But no one can deliver his brother, *
nor pay unto God a price for him;
8 For it is so costly to redeem their souls, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,
9 So that they should live for ever, *
and should not see the grave.

10 For we see that wise men die, as well as the ignorant and foolish; *
they perish alike and leave their riches for others.
11 And yet they think that their houses shall continue for ever, and that their dwelling places shall endure
from one generation to another, *
and they call lands after their own names.
12 Man is like an ox that has no understanding; *
he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the way of their foolishness, *
yet their posterity praise their sayings.
14 Like sheep they are appointed to die, and death shall be their shepherd; *
they shall go down straight into the sepulcher.
15 Their beauty shall consume away in the grave, *
which shall be their dwelling place for ever.
16 But God shall save me from the power of death, *
for he shall deliver my soul.

17 Be not envious if one is made rich, *
or if the glory of his house is increased,
18 For he shall carry nothing away with him when he dies, *
neither shall his glory follow him.
19 For while he lived, he counted himself happy, *
and so long as he did well for himself, people spoke well of him.
20 He shall follow the generation of his fathers *
and shall never see the light.
21 Those who are honored but have no understanding *
are like the beasts that perish.

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“Psalm 49 – to St Dunstan (The Psalms Sung)

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 30 (The Sayings of Agur son of Jakeh.)

5 Everything God says is true—
and it’s a shield for all
who come to him for safety.

7 There are two things, Lord,
I want you to do for me
before I die:
8 Make me absolutely honest
and don’t let me be too poor
or too rich.
Give me just what I need.
9 If I have too much to eat,
I might forget about you;
if I don’t have enough,
I might steal
and disgrace your name.

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Consider:

“But God shall save me from the power of death,
for he shall deliver my soul.”
(Psalm 49:16)

“But God shall deliver my soul.”

Everybody dies in the end – both rich and poor, wise man and fool, faithful and infidel.

“Death is the shepherd of the infidel. Life (i.e., Christ) is the Shepherd of the faithful.”

—Augustine

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No redemption could man find in riches, but God has found it in the blood of his dear Son. Our Elder Brother has given to God a ransom, and we are the redeemed of the Lord: because of this redemption by price we shall assuredly be redeemed by power out of the hand of the last enemy.

—Spurgeon

1. Return to the dust I shall.

2. Redeem from the dust he will.

3. Receive into heaven he will.

4. Rejoice for ever I shall.

Prayer:

+ For All Faithful Departed

Almighty God, with whom the souls of the faithful who have departed this life are in joy and felicity : We praise and magnify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear; and we most humbly pray that, at the day of resurrection, we and all who are members of the mystical body of your Son may be set on his right hand, and hear his most joyful voice: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Grant this, O merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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“Be Thou My Vision” – Selah

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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.

Morning Prayer: Tuesday 29 Sep 2020 – Psalms (47) and Proverbs (29) ~ Think about God’s Mighty Acts

Morning Prayer, Tuesday, 29 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

“God is the King of all the earth;
think upon his mighty acts and praise him with a song.“
(Psalm 47:7)

Preparation:

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 47

1 O clap your hands together, all you peoples; *
O cry aloud unto God with shouts of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared; *
he is the great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the peoples under us, *
and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, *
the pride of Jacob whom he loved.

5 God has gone up with a shout of triumph, *
the LORD with the sound of the trumpet.
6 O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; *
O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7 For God is the King of all the earth; *
think upon his mighty acts and praise him with a song.

8 God reigns over the nations; *
God sits on his holy throne.
9 The princes of the peoples are gathered with the people of the God of Abraham; *
for the mighty upon earth have become the servants of the Lord, and he is very highly exalted.

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“Jerusalem Shofar at Sunrise – Rabbi Shalom Gold

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 29

18 Without guidance from God
law and order disappear,
but God blesses everyone
who obeys his Law.

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Consider:

“God is the King of all the earth;
think upon his mighty acts and praise him with a song.”
(Psalm 47:7)

“Think upon His Mighty Acts”

God’s Nine Mighty Acts in the Old Testament (Christoph Barth)

God created heaven and earth.
God chose the Fathers of Israel.
God brought Israel out of Egypt.
God led his people through the wilderness.
God Revealed Himself at Sinai.
God granted Israel the Land of Canaan.
God raised up kings in Israel.
God chose Jerusalem.
God Sent His Prophets.

God’s Mighty Act in Jesus

Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son, and everything will someday belong to the Son. God’s Son has all the brightness of God’s own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together. After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven. (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Profession of Faith: (The Nicene Creed)

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, visible and invisible.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen

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“Mighty is our God” – luomer

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Blessing:

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

Morning Prayer: Monday 28 Sep 2020 – Psalms (46) and Proverbs (28) ~ The LORD of hosts is with us!

Morning Prayer, Monday, 28 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

“Be still then and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
(Psalm 46:10-11)

Preparation:

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters rage and swell, *
and though the mountains shake at its tempest.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; therefore she shall not be moved. *
God shall help her at the break of day.
6 The nations are in an uproar, and the kingdoms are moved, *
but God has lifted his voice, and the earth shall melt away.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

8 O come and behold the works of the LORD, *
what devastations he has brought upon the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease in all the world; *
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the chariots in the fire.
10 “Be still then and know that I am God; *
I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our refuge.

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“Psalm 46 – Lord of Hosts” – Shane & Shane

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 28

2 In time of civil war
there are many leaders,
but a sensible leader
restores law and order.

5 Criminals don’t know
what justice means,
but all who respect the Lord
understand it completely.

13 If you don’t confess your sins,
you will be a failure.
But God will be merciful
if you confess your sins
and give them up.

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Consider:

“Be still then and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
(Psalm 46:10-11)

“Be still and know that I am God”

Sit down and wait in patience, ye believers! Acknowledge that Jehovah is God, ye who feel the terrors of his wrath! Adore him, and him only, ye who partake in the protection of his grace. Since none can worthily proclaim his nature, let “expressive silence muse his praise.”

— Spurgeon

“The Lord of hosts is with us”

Reader, is the Lord on thy side? Is Emmanuel, God with us, thy Redeemer? Is there a covenant between thee and God as between God and Jacob? If so, thrice happy art thou. Show thy joy in holy song, and in times of trouble play the man by still making music for thy God.

— Spurgeon

Prayer:

+ For Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“Be Still” – Hillsong Worship

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Blessing:

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

Morning Prayer: Saturday 26 Sep 2020 – Psalms (43) and Proverbs (26) ~ send out your light and truth

Morning Prayer, Saturday, 26 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

God most high, your ways are not our ways, for your kindness
is lavished equally upon all. Teach us to welcome your mercy toward others,
even as we hope to receive mercy ourselves. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen

O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me…
(Psalm 43:3)

Preparation:

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 43

1 Give judgment for me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people; *
O deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.
2 For you are the God of my strength; why have you put me far from you? *
And why do I go about with heaviness, while the enemy oppresses me?

3 O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill, and to your dwelling;
4 That I may go to the altar of God, even to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp will I give thanks to you, O God, my God.

5 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
6 O put your trust in God, *
for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

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“Send Out Your Light” – Sandra McCracken – Live from Brooklyn, NY

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 26

4 Don’t make a fool of yourself
by answering a fool.
5 But if you answer any fools,
show how foolish they are,
so they won’t feel smart.

24 The pleasant talk
of an enemy
hides more evil plans
25 than can be counted—
so don’t believe a word!
26 Everyone will see through
those evil plans.

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Consider:

O send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me…
(Psalm 43:3)

“Deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.”

+ There are ungodly people who, being destitute of religious principle, will not scruple to injure us, when they can thereby gratify their passions or advance their worldly interests.

+ There are deceitful people who will put on the garb of friendship, and acquire our confidence and esteem, and then treacherously cheat us out of our property, or our reputation, or our peace.

+ There are unjust people, who by fraud or by violence, would rob us of our dearest rights and most valuable possessions, and not only reduce our powers and opportunities of doing good, but even diminish our means of comfortable subsistence.

+ And there are oppressors, who taking advantage of our weakness or dependence, and trampling alike on the maxims of equity and humanity, may exact from us unreasonable services, impose upon us heavy burdens and cruel restraints, and ply us with insults, and harassments, and deprivations, from which we can make no escape, and for which we can find no redress.

—Andrew Thomson, D.D. (1826).

Q: Can you put contemporary names and faces on the people described in the above quote?

Q: How are they affecting your peace of mind?

“Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me.”

Apart from the “Light and Truth” of God we are helplessly and hopelessly lost. The Psalmist prayed for that which God has given us in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Q: What has Jesus said or taught that reminds you that he is with you and for you?

Q: What can you do to remind yourself of God’s love, and enter into His presence?

Prayer:

+ For Our nation

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly 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 out of 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, sustain our trust in you; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

+ For Mercy

Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ For Guidence

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“All the Way Back” – Mark & Sarah Tillman

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Blessing:

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

Morning Prayer: Friday 25 Sep 2020 – Psalms (42) and Proverbs (25) ~ put your trust in God

Morning Prayer, Friday, 25 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,
and why are you so disquieted within me? O put your trust in God….
(Psalm 42:6-7)

Preparation:

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 42

1 As the deer desires the water brooks, *
so longs my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul is athirst for God, even for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, *
while all day long they say to me, “Where now is your God?”

4 When I think upon these things, I pour out my heart, *
when I remember how I went with the multitude, and brought them into the house of God,
5 With the voice of praise and thanksgiving *
among those who keep holy day.
6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
7 O put your trust in God, *
for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
8 My soul is heavy within me; *
therefore I will remember you from the land of Jordan, and from Mizar among the hills of Hermon.
9 One deep calls to another in the noise of your waterfalls; *
all your waves and storms have gone over me.

10 The LORD will grant his loving-kindness in the daytime; *
and in the night season will I sing of him, and make my prayer to the God of my life.

11 I will say to God my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? *
Why am I full of heaviness, while the enemy oppresses me?”
12 My bones are broken asunder, *
while my enemies mock me to my face,
13 While all day long they say to me, *
“Where now is your God?”

14 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul, *
and why are you so disquieted within me?
15 O put your trust in God, *
for I will yet give him thanks, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

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“Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call” – Joshua Huff

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 25

4 Silver must be purified
before it can be used
to make something of value.
5 Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
with justice.

26 When a good person gives in
to the wicked,
it’s like dumping garbage
in a stream of clear water.

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Consider:

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul,
and why are you so disquieted within me? O put your trust in God….
(Psalm 42:6-7)

[Psalm 42] is the cry of a man far removed from the outward ordinances and worship of God, sighing for the long loved house of his God; and at the same time it is the voice of a spiritual believer, under depressions, longing for the renewal of the divine presence, struggling with doubts and fears, but yet holding his ground by faith in the living God.

— Spurgeon

Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?

It is not God nor the devil that cast thee down; but Why dost thou cast thyself down? to create more trouble on thyself than either God doth inflict or the devil tempt thee to.

— Christopher Love

O put your trust in God

The word which is here rendered, [“trust”] denotes that expectation which is founded on faith in God, and which leads the soul to wait upon him.

—Henry March.

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Q: What’s troubling you? What’s disquieting your inner self?

Q: Can you remember a time when your worship was filled with praise and thanksgiving? What’s changed?

Q: How can you restore your joy? How can you worship with others? How can you worship in the presence of God?

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Though private prayer be a brave design
Yet public hath more promises, more love:
And love’s a weight to hearts, to eyes a sign.
We all are but cold suitors; let us move
Where it is warmest. Leave thy six and seven;
Pray with the most: for where most pray, is heaven.

—George Herbert, in “The Temple.”

Prayer:

+ For Our nation

+ For the Discouraged and Downcast

O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him who for our sakes became poor, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ For Desiring God (Francis Xavier)

O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you seek you, and seeking you find you, and finding you be satisfied in you for ever. Amen.

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“Hallelujah” – 7 Hills Worship

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Blessing:

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

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