Morning Prayer, Saturday, 12 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

O Lord God, grant me grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with a pure heart and mind to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Sovereign Lord says: “I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people.
I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.”
(Ezekiel 33:11)

Preparation:

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.

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 12

1 Help me, O LORD, for there is no godly one left; *
for the faithful have vanished from among the children of men.

2 They speak falsely, every one with his neighbor; *
they flatter with their lips and deceive with a double heart.

3 The Lord shall root out all deceitful lips *
and the tongues that speak proud things,

4 Which have said, “With our tongue will we prevail; *
our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”

5 “Now because of the trouble of the needy *
and because of the deep sighing of the poor,

6 I will rise up,” says the LORD, *
“and will give help to every one who longs for it.”

7 The words of the LORD are pure words, even as silver that is tried in the furnace, *
and as gold that is purified seven times in the fire.

8 Preserve us, O Lord, and save us *
from this perverse and evil generation.

9 The ungodly walk on every side *
when wickedness is exalted among the children of men.

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Psalm 12 (The Promises Of The LORD) – Karl Kohlhase

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 12   

Some proverbs of Solomon:

5 Good people have kind thoughts,
but you should never trust the advice of someone evil.

6 Bad advice is a deadly trap,
but good advice is like a shield.

8 Good sense is worthy of praise,
but stupidity is a curse.

23 Be sensible and don’t tell everything you know—
only fools spread foolishness everywhere.

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Consider: 

“I will rise up,” says the LORD, “and will give help to every one who longs for it.”
(Psalm 12:6)

“If ‘vileness is set on high among the sons of men,’ it is because the sons of men prefer it to the stern purity of goodness.
A corrupt people will crown corrupt men and put them aloft.” (Maclaren)
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“Think of God arising in his might… nothing stands before him when he once arises. Poor, sick, needy, sorrowing, sighing child of God, it is you who can bring him into this marvelous state of activity.” (Spurgeon)

“to every one who longs for it”

The “longing of the needy” here is a deep sighing and sorrow, a “groaning” under the weight of oppression and persecution. It’s a cry for relief from lying, deceitful, wicked people who have been placed in positions of authority.

The Psalmist says that God will arise in response to the groaning of his people.

Q: Do you think of this current generation as evil or perverse? Why/why not?

Q: Is wickedness exalted in this nation? What form does it take?

Q: Do you think of prayer as a form of “groaning” before God”

Q: Have you groaned before God on behalf of your country.

Q: What would you like to see happen if God were to arise in response to groaning prayer?

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Prayer:  For Our Nation

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage:

+ We humbly pray that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will.

+ Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct.

+ Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

+ Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues.

+ Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.

+ In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, revive an unfailing trust in you;

All of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Look Up Child – Lauren Daigle

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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.