Praying the Psalms: Thu, 16 Aug – Psalm 41 ~ Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!

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 41 (NLT)

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!

The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive.
He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.
The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health.

“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask. They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst. “He has some fatal disease,” they say. “He will never get out of that bed!” Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

Lord, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back! I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me. You have preserved my life because I am innocent; you have brought me into your presence forever.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you have always kept the poor and needy close to your heart; give us a generous spirit that we might do the same.

+ Give us eyes to see the truly needy among us…
+ Give us discernment to know how best to use our resources…
+ Give us gratitude to give as freely as we have received…
+ Give us purity of heart to give without expectation of reward…

O Lord our God: thank you for the blessings we have received –

+ For the strength of character derived from self-denial…
+ For the encouragement of those who have felt abandoned…
+ For your justice and relief in times of trouble…

O Lord our God: forgive our sins and shortcomings –

+ For we have failed in love and duty…
+ For we have given to others with strings attached…
+ For we expect to be treated better than your Son, Jesus Christ…

O Lord our God: have mercy on us and in your kindness restore us in body, mind, and spirit that we may perfectly serve you and worthily glorify your name – through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you,one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 41” – Choir of St. John’s, Elora

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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, 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: Wed, 15 Aug – Psalm 40 ~ a hymn of praise

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 40 (NLT)

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me—too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.

Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: we praise your holy name –

+ For you rescued us when we faced destruction
+ For you delivered us when we faced bondage
+ For you saved us when we faced condemnation

O Lord our God: shape us in the image of your Son, Jesus Christ –

+ That we might submit our wills to your will
+ That we might live as your faithful servants
+ That we might be thankful in every circumstance

O Lord our God: place a song in our hearts and fill us with joy that the whole world may know that your Son, Jesus Christ, is Lord to the glory and honor of your name. Amen.
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“A Song of Thanksgiving” (Psalm 40) – U2’s “40”

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Tue, 14 Aug – Psalm 39 ~ our days are numbered

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 39 (NLT)

I said to myself,

“I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.”

But as I stood there in silence—not even speaking of good things—the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you. But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath.

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you are good and just; even though your ways are beyond our understanding. We are perplexed – the wicked prosper and the righteous are afflicted; and yet, you are the sovereign God, the ruler of all. Help us understand –

+ When will our sufferings end? Will death be our only relief?
+ Our lives are so brief and fleeting; what’s it all about?
+ Why do we wok hard all our lives; only to see it vanish?

O Lord our God: you are good and just; even though your ways are beyond our understanding. Our hope is on you –

+ Unfold your good purpose for us as we wait for you.
+ Deliver us from our transgressions and renew our strength.
+ Teach us self-restraint as we appeal to your mercy.
+ Show us how to live as sojourners in this present life.

O Lord our God: you are good and just; and you have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins and to lead us to our eternal home. This is all too wonderful for us to understand,; and yet, by faith we hold on to him as our certain hope for now and for ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 39” – The Women of the East Tennessee State University Chorale

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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, 13 Aug – Psalm 38 ~ remember us in our anguish

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 38 (NLT)

O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage!

Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me.
Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins.
My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear.
My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins.
I am bent over and racked with pain.
All day long I walk around filled with grief.
A raging fever burns within me, and my health is broken.
I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.

You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. My heart beats wildly, my strength fails, and I am going blind. My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me. Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me. All day long they plan their treachery.

But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply. For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall.”

I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I have many aggressive enemies; they hate me without reason. They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good. Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.
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Morning Prayer

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Do Not Forsake Me” (Psalm 38) – Karl Kohlhase

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 11 Aug – Psalm 37 ~ Don’t worry about the wicked…

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 37 (NLT)

Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.

The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.

Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

But the wicked will die. The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field-they will disappear like smoke.

The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly.

He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.

The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path.

The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial.

Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them!

Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future.

The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: you are our Father and faithful friend. Deliver us from evil and help us in our times of worry –

+ Deliver us from envying the prosperity of the wicked…
+ Deliver us from worrying about our daily necessities…
+ Deliver us from concern about what others think…
+ Deliver us from the lies and deceit of the evil one…
+ Deliver us from jealousy and anger…

O Lord our God: you are our Father and faithful friend. Increase trust in your grace and tender mercy –

+ Lord, increase our faithfulness and daily trust in you…
+ Lord, increase our desire to do go and seek good for others…
+ Lord, increase our confidence in your promises…
+ Lord, increase our delight in your Word and Spirit…
+ Lord, increase our resolve to seek you first in all things…
+ Lord, increase our contentment and quietude…
+ Lord, increase our patience and confidence in your justice…

O Lord our God: you are our Father and faithful friend. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ; through faith in him we receive your mercy, help, and grace in our times of need – all to the glory and honor of your name. Amen.
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“Do Not Fret” (Psalm 37) – Sharon Wilson