Morning Prayer, Monday, 14 Sep 2020
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
Gracious God: without You I am unable to please You.
Mercifully grant that Your Holy Spirit may rule and direct my heart in all things;
through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
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 14
1 The fool has said in his heart, *
“There is no God.”
2 They are corrupt and have become abominable in their doings; *
there is none that does good, no, not one.
3 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, *
to see if there were any who would understand and seek after God.
4 But they have all gone astray; they have altogether become abominable; *
there is none that does good, no, not one.
5 Have they no knowledge, all those workers of evil, *
who eat up my people as bread, and call not upon the LORD?
6 There were they brought into great fear, even where no fear was; *
for God is in the generation of the righteous.
7 Though you have made a mockery of the counsel of the poor, *
yet they put their trust in the LORD.
8 Who shall give salvation unto Israel out of Zion? *
When the LORD restores his captive people, then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
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Psalm 14: (O Savior, Come) – My Soul Among Lions
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Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Proverbs 13
Some proverbs of Solomon:
2 You will be well rewarded for saying something kind,
but all some people think about is how to be cruel and mean.
5 A good person hates deceit,
but those who are evil cause shame and disgrace.
10 Too much pride causes trouble.
Be sensible and take advice.
14 Sensible instruction is a life-giving fountain
that helps you escape all deadly traps.
20 Wise friends make you wise,
but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.
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Consider:
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
“The Hebrew word for fool in this psalm is nabal, a word which implies an aggressive perversity….” (Kidner)
Sin is the disease of mankind, and it appears here to be malignant and epidemic. (Matthew Henry)
-
- Malignant: Contempt for God
- Epidemic: Human nature is debased
The folly of fools:
- wicked and profane; hardened in sin
- corrupt and hateful; do great harm
- practice and enjoy their criminality
- ruin God’s people without remorse
- know nothing about God
The assurance of the wise:
- God’s presence
- God’s protection
- God’s comfort
- God’s deliverance
The second coming of Christ, will finally extinguish the dominion of sin and Satan… and will be the joy, of [God’s people] indeed. With the assurance of that we should, in singing this, comfort ourselves and one another, with reference to the present sins of sinners and sufferings of saints. (Matthew Henry)
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Prayer:
+ For the Unrepentant
Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe especially those creating chaos in our streets. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
+ For a Virtuous Heart (Thomas Aquinas)
Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally I may embrace you. Amen.
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Victory Is Yours – Bethel Music
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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.
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