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 107 (NLT)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.

+ Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

+ Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one was there to help them. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he broke down their prison gates of bronze; he cut apart their bars of iron.

+ Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins. They couldn’t stand the thought of food, and they were knocking on death’s door. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

+ Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor! Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.

He changes rivers into deserts, and springs of water into dry, thirsty land. He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands, because of the wickedness of those who live there. But he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water. He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their cities. They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest their bumper crops. How he blesses them! They raise large families there, and their herds of livestock increase.

When they decrease in number and become impoverished through oppression, trouble, and sorrow, the Lord pours contempt on their princes, causing them to wander in trackless wastelands. But he rescues the poor from trouble and increases their families like flocks of sheep. The godly will see these things and be glad, while the wicked are struck silent.

Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.
__________

Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: To you alone belong our worship, thanksgiving and praise, for you answered our prayers –

+ when you found us hopelessly lost, weary from wandering…
+ when you delivered us from our bondage, imprisoned in darkness…
+ when you redeemed us from our sins, suffering the consequences…
+ when you saved us from our fears, gripped by terror…

O Lord our God: To you alone belong our worship, thanksgiving and praise; for you answered our prayers when we cried out to you in Jesus’ name. Give us the words to express your goodness, that all may experience your loving-kindness and live full, satisfying lives – now and forever. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
__________

“Psalm 107” – Rachel Cohen

Give thanks for He is good | Give thanks for He is good
Give thanks for His unfailing love

Some wandered in the wastelands, finding no way
They were hungry and thirsty
Then they cried out to the Lord in their distress
And He brought them deliverance

Give thanks for He is good | Give thanks for He is good
Give thanks for His unfailing love
Oh, He satisfies | He satisfies

Some sat in darkness, suffering in chains
For they had despised Him
Then the cried out to the Lord in their distress
And he brought them out of darkness

Give thanks for He is good | Give thanks for He is good
Give thanks for His unfailing love
Oh, He breaks away our chains | He breaks away our chains

Some became foolish in their rebellious ways
And drew near the gates of death
Then they cried out to the Lord in their distress
And He rescued them from the grave

Give thanks for He is good | Give thanks for He is good
Give thanks for His unfailing love
Oh, sing a song of joy | Sing a song of joy

Whoever is wise, let him hear | And consider the love of the Lord
The great love of the Lord

Give thanks for He is good | Give thanks for He is good
__________

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, and 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.