Evening Prayer:

 

In Prayer we do not act, God does

 

Tuesday January 20th 2015

 

Said all together except for the sentences marked ‘Call’ which are for the Leader only
+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.

 

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

 

Opening sentences
My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.

 

Call: Out of the depths I have cried to You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: With my whole heart I want to praise You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
Response: Who could stand? who could stand?

 

I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word do I hope.

 

Expressions of faith
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

 

Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.

 

This Evening’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 3

1 Lord, how many are my foes!    

How many rise up against me!

2 Many are saying of me,   

 ‘God will not deliver him.’[b]

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.

5 I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.

7 Arise, Lord!
    Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the Lord comes deliverance.
    May your blessing be on your people.

 

 Reflection on the Psalm:

• Read slowly through the psalm until you find some words that ‘hold’ you.

• Reflect on those words, turn them over in your mind and your heart

• Respond to them by telling God the thoughts, feelings, questions they evoke

• Rest in and absorb the truth they’re bringing you

 

Today’s Meditation: Day to Night

From Eugene Petersen: Working the Angles

 

‘I stretch myself out. I sleep.

Then I’m up again – rested, tall and steady’ (Psalm 3:5 The Message)

 Day is the basic unit of God’s creative work; evening is the beginning of that day. It is the onset of God speaking light, stars, earth…into being. But it is also the time when we quit our activity and go to sleep…

            The day is about to begin! God’s genesis words are about to be spoken again. During the hours of my sleep, how will he prepare to use my obedience, service and speech when morning breaks? I go to sleep to get out of the way for a while. I get into the rhythm of salvation.

 

Reflection on the day

Look back over the day. Where have you been aware of God’s presence? Where have you missed opportunities or forgotten that God was with you? What remains unfinished, unresolved? Bring the day back to God and place it into his hands.

 

Thanksgiving and Prayer

 

Canticle
In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

 

The Lord is my light, my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

 

In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

One thing I ask of the Lord,
one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God,
to gaze on Your holy place.

 

In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

 

I believe I shall see the goodness
of the Lord in the land of the living.
O wait for the Lord!
Have courage and wait,
wait for the Lord.

 

In the shadow of Your wings
I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

 

Blessing
See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of good people of old
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.