Praying the Psalms: Mon, 15 Oct – Psalm 92 ~ Sing praises to the Most High!

Praying the Psalms

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

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 92 (NLT) (A song to be sung on the Sabbath Day.)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp, and the melody of a lyre.

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this: Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever. Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish; all evildoers will be scattered. But you have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents. But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare,

“The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”

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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Thank you for your unfailing love and faithfulness –

+ we sing praises to your Name with glad and grateful hearts….
+ we bless you for seeing us through periods of darkness and pain….
+ we trust you for protection and the defeat of our enemies….

O Lord our God: You rule over all with justice, truth and grace –

+ for you fill us with joy and peace….
+ for you punish the unrepentant with the certainty of death…
+ for you reward the righteous with the abundance of life….

O Lord our God: You bless your people through your Son, Jesus Christ, in whom we trust. Continue in us the good work you have begun that we may flourish in beauty, permanence, glory, and strength and live with you forever. We ask this in his Name. Amen.
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“Psalm 92” (Lord, it is good to give you thanks.) – Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philipines

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

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost – 14 Oct – Mark 10:17-31 ~ no easy way in

Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of wisdom, whose word probes the motives of our hearts, with you all things are possible. Let worldly treasure not keep us from Jesus, who looks on us with love. Free us to leave all things and follow him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Rejoice The Lord Is King” – the Generations Gospel Choir (Tommy Walker)

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Gospel Reading: Mark 10:17-31 (NLT)

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
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Prayers of Intercession:

Gracious God, with you all things are possible: show us your mercy and help us in this our time of need. Lord, hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders – that they may exhibit strength and wisdom as they guide your people….
+ For all believers- that we may exhibit wisdom and sound judgement in our decision-making….
+ For new believers – that they may grow in understanding of your Word and Spirit….
+ For believers who have left everything to follow Jesus – that they may not give up….
+ For rich believers – that we may share our resources with the needy, freely and joyfully….
+ For poor believers – that they may receive our gifts graciously and use them wisely….
+ For believers who are sick – that they may receive comfort and healing…
+ For believers who have died – that they may enter your Kingdom and experience its glory forever….

Gracious God, your favor shines out upon us, you give success to the work of our hands: help us according to our needs, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Kingdom Come” – Darlene Zschech

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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 13 Oct – Psalm 91 ~ God is my safe space.

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 91 (NLT)

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You are our safe space –

+ for you shelter us in your secret place…
+ for you protect us in your shadow…
+ for you hide us in your fortress…
+ for you restore our confidence…
+ for you fill us with joy…

O Lord our God: You overcome our fears –

+ for you deliver us from hidden foes…
+ for you shield us from our enemies…
+ for you relieve us from our night terrors…
+ for you rescue us from the jaws of death…

O Lord our God: You alone deliver us from evil through your Son, Jesus Christ. Fix our eyes on him, the author and finisher of our faith that we might live in the safety of your presence, now and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 91” – Sons of Korah

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Fri, 12 Oct – Psalm 90 ~ God our home!

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 90 (NLT) (A prayer of Moses, the man of God.)

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all. We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan.

Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: You have always been our home –

+ in you, we find our settled resting place…
+ in you, we find our comfort and peace…
+ in you, we find our soul’s satisfaction…
+ in you, we find our perfect security…
+ in you, we find compassion and unfailing love…

O Lord our God: You have numbered our days –

+ teach us wisdom and understanding…
+ teach us to rejoice in your loving-kindness…
+ teach us to recognize your power and glory around us…
+ teach us to receive your mercy and forgiveness…
+ teach us to remain in the beauty of your holiness…

O Lord our God: Our lives are hidden with Christ in you; lead us successfully through the brevity, frailty, and sinfulness of life – that we may live with you forever through faith and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 90” (A Thousand Years) – James Block

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 11 Oct – Psalm 89 ~ I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love!

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.
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Morning Reading: Psalm 89 (NLT) (A psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite.)

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn this oath to him: ‘I will establish your descendants as kings forever; they will sit on your throne from now until eternity.’” Interlude

All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord? What mightiest angel is anything like the Lord? The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.

You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves. You crushed the great sea monster.
You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours—you created it all.
You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name.
Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.
They exult in your righteousness.
You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make us strong.
Yes, our protection comes from the Lord, and he, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king.

Long ago you spoke in a vision to your faithful people. You said,

“I have raised up a warrior. I have selected him from the common people to be king.
I have found my servant David. I have anointed him with my holy oil.
I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm I will make him strong.
His enemies will not defeat him, nor will the wicked overpower him.
I will beat down his adversaries before him and destroy those who hate him.
My faithfulness and unfailing love will be with him, and by my authority he will grow in power.
I will extend his rule over the sea, his dominion over the rivers.

And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’

I will make him my firstborn son, the mightiest king on earth.
I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end.
I will preserve an heir for him; his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.

But if his descendants forsake my instructions and fail to obey my regulations, if they do not obey my decrees and fail to keep my commands, then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him. No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said. I have sworn an oath to David, and in my holiness I cannot lie: His dynasty will go on forever; his kingdom will endure as the sun. It will be as eternal as the moon, my faithful witness in the sky!” Interlude

But now you have rejected him and cast him off. You are angry with your anointed king.

You have renounced your covenant with him; you have thrown his crown in the dust.
You have broken down the walls protecting him and ruined every fort defending him.
Everyone who comes along has robbed him, and he has become a joke to his neighbors.
You have strengthened his enemies and made them all rejoice.
You have made his sword useless and refused to help him in battle.
You have ended his splendor and overturned his throne.
You have made him old before his time and publicly disgraced him. Interlude

O Lord, how long will this go on? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your anger burn like fire? Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence! No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave. Interlude

Lord, where is your unfailing love? You promised it to David with a faithful pledge. Consider, Lord, how your servants are disgraced! I carry in my heart the insults of so many people. Your enemies have mocked me, O Lord; they mock your anointed king wherever he goes.

Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen!
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Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: Your faithfulness lasts forever –

+ for you are true to your word, keeping all your promises…
+ for you are merciful and gracious, forgiving all our sins…
+ for you are lauded in the heavens by the redeemed…
+ for you are incomparable in honoring your covenants…
+ for you are ever-present, dispelling our fears…

O Lord our God: Pour out your loving-kindness on your people, now as in the past, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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“Psalm 89:1-2” (I Could Sing of Your Love Forever) – Martin Smith