Thursday Morning Prayer, 23 Jul 2020

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

Opening:*

Most powerful Holy Spirit, come down upon us and subdue us.
From heaven, where the ordinary is made glorious, and glory seems but ordinary,
Bathe us with the brilliance of Your light like dew.

Believer, hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man.  “Aidan”

Scripture Reading (CEV)

Psalm 131:2

But I have learned to feel safe
and satisfied,
just like a young child
on its mother’s lap.

Isaiah 35:1

God’s Splendor Will Be Seen

Thirsty deserts will be glad;
barren lands will celebrate
and blossom with flowers.

Mark 6:30-31

After the apostles returned to Jesus, they told him everything they had done and taught. But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest.”

__________

Reflection**

How wonderful it is to talk with God
when cares sweep o’er my spirit like a flood;
how wonderful it is to hear His voice,
for when He speaks the desert lands rejoice. (Theodore H. Kitching)

We’ve all got little cells in our hearts, little hermitages that God wants to fill. For some there’s a physical place of silence. It’s hard to be silent. It’s hard to stop. To know God in the quiet is worth a lot – it’s there we’ll get our vision and our peace to come through whatever hits us.

A Prayer for Stillness When Life Is Rushed – one thing alone ministries

Oh Lord, You know my heart better than I know it myself. You know my struggles and You hold each hope and fear in Your caring hands. Teach me, LORD, to be still and to know that You are God.

You are in Your holy temple; let all the earth, including my mind and heart, be silent before You, resting in Your sovereignty. Like Elijah, teach me to wait for Your still, small voice and quiet the earthquakes and blazing fires in my life.

Replace my restless doing with inner calm, and help me, like Mary, to sit at Your feet in quiet adoration even if there are a million things clamoring for my attention. Just as You spoke over the tumultuous sea and storms, so speak over my heart Your shalom.

“Peace. Be still,” You said to them, and immediately they quieted. Teach my heart to cease striving and to know– to yada, to have an intimate and deep, personal, first-hand experience–that You are God.

Help me cultivate a quiet heart, like a baby content in its mother’s arms, no longer coming to You with a “gimme” spirit but instead calmly nestling against Your heart. Help me find quietness and happiness in intimate communion with You. You will be exalted over all the earth, and You’ve got the details of my day covered. I can rest in You.
Amen

__________

How wonderful it is to walk with God – International Staff Songsters of The Salvation Army

How wonderful it is to walk with God
Along the road that holy men have trod;
How wonderful it is to hear him say:
Fear not, have faith, ‘tis I who lead the way!

How wonderful it is to talk with God
When cares sweep o’er my spirit like a flood;
How wonderful it is to hear his voice,
For when he speaks the desert lands rejoice!

How wonderful it is to praise my God,
Who comforts and protects me with his rod;
How wonderful to praise him every hour,
My heart attuned to sing his wondrous power!

How wonderful it is to fight for God,
And point poor sinners to the precious blood;
How wonderful it is to wield his sword
‘Gainst sin, the enemy of Christ, my Lord!

How wonderful ‘twill be to live with God
When I have crossed death’s deep and swelling flood;
How wonderful to see him face to face
When I have fought the fight and won the race!

Closing

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.

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

* Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 38-45). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.
** Northumbria Community. Celtic Daily Prayer (Kindle Locations 13192-13198). HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.