Morning Prayer, Friday, 02 Oct 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.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
(Psalm 53:1)

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 53

1 The fool has said in his heart, *
“There is no God.”

2 They are corrupt and have become abominable in their wickedness; *
there is none that does good.
3 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men *
to see if there were any who would understand and seek after God.
4 But they have all gone astray; they have altogether become abominable; *
there is none that does good, no, not one.

5 Have they no knowledge, all the workers of evil *
who eat up my people as they would eat bread, and call not upon God?
6 They were afraid where no fear was, *
for God has broken the bones of those who besieged you;
7 You have put them to shame, *
because God has rejected them.

8 Oh, that salvation were given unto Israel out of Zion! *
Oh, that God would deliver his people out of captivity!
9 Then shall Jacob rejoice, *
and Israel shall be glad.

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“Psalms 53” (tune: Garelochside) – St. Peter’s Free Church of Scotland, Dundee.

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 02 (The proverbs of Solomon)

2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.

5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.

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Consider:

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
(Psalm 53:1)

The atheist is, morally as well as mentally, a fool, a fool in the heart as well as in the head; a fool in morals as well as in philosophy. With the denial of God as a starting point… the fool’s progress is a rapid, riotous, raving, ruinous one. “No God,” being interpreted, means no law, no order, no restraint to lust, no limit to passion. Who but a fool would be of this mind?

Bad principles soon lead to bad lives…. It is the abounding denial and forgetfulness of God among men which is the source of the unrighteousness and crime which we see around us.

— Spurgeon

Jesus made the point that how we behave demonstrates what we believe. (Matthew 7:16)

Q: How are people behaving around you? (God/No God?)

Q: When you consider how you behave (e.g. how you spend your time and money)? (God/No God?)

Prayer

+ For Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my Lord. Amen.

+ For Grace to Seek God in Every Way (Benedict of Nursia)

Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

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“Only a Holy God” – Here Be Lions

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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.