Morning Prayer, Tuesday, 03 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, as we live among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…..”
(Psalm 103:1-2)

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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Psalm 103 – Jess Ray

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 103”

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgives all your sin *
and heals all your infirmities,
4 Who saves your life from the pit *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness,
5 Who satisfies you with good things, *
renewing your youth like an eagle’s.

6 The LORD executes righteousness and judgment *
for all those who are oppressed with wrong.

7 He showed his ways to Moses, *
his works to the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is full of compassion and mercy, *
long-suffering and of great goodness.
9 He will not always chide us, *
neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so great is his mercy also toward those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he set our sins from us.
13 As a father pities his own children, *
so is the LORD merciful to those who fear him.
14 For he knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.
15 The days of man are as grass; *
he flourishes as a flower of the field.
16 For as soon as the wind goes over it, it is gone, *
and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever and ever upon those who fear him, *
and his righteousness upon children’s children,
18 Even upon those who keep his covenant *
and think upon his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD has prepared his throne in heaven, *
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 O praise the LORD, you angels of his, you that excel in strength, *
you that fulfill his commandment, and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21 O praise the LORD, all you his hosts, *
you servants of his that do his pleasure.

22 O speak good of the LORD, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; *
praise the LORD, O my soul.

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Consider:

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…..”
(Psalm 103:1-2)

“with all that is within me”

• Many are our faculties, emotions, and capacities, but God has given them all to us, and they ought all to join in chorus to his praise.
• If the law of justice demanded all our heart and soul and mind for the Creator, much more may the law of gratitude put in a comprehensive claim for the homage of our whole being to the God of grace.

__ Spurgeon

“forget not all his benefits”

• Memory is very treacherous about the best things; by a strange perversity, engendered by the fall, it treasures up the refuse of the past and permits priceless treasures to lie neglected, it is tenacious of grievances and holds benefits all too loosely. It needs spurring to its duty, though that duty ought to be its delight.
• Observe that he calls all that is within him to remember all the Lord’s benefits. For our task our energies should be suitably called out. God’s all cannot be praised with less than our all.

__ Spurgeon

Q: When you think about God’s goodness to you, what comes to mind?

Q: Re-read Psalm 93 – Which of these benefits have you personally experienced?

Q: Can you think of a time when you trusted God’s promises despite your circumstances?

Q: How did it work out for you?

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Proverbs (03) (The wisdom of Solomon)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

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Prayer

+ 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.

+ Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide and direct the minds of all those who vote today, to elect fit persons to serve this country. Grant that in the exercise of our choice we may promote your glory, and the welfare of this nation. This I ask for the sake of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Psalm 103 – Bless the Lord – State-wide Youth Service @ Slavic Center Tacoma, WA

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.