Morning Prayer:

God is the living Centre of everything

 

Monday January 19th 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:

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.

 

Call: Who is it that you seek?
Response: We seek the Lord our God.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Response: Amen. Christ, have mercy.

 

Declaration of faith:

To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed and have come to know
that You are the Holy One of God.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ,
King of endless glory.

 

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 62

 

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down –
    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.[b]

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honour depend on God[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
‘Power belongs to you, God,
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love’;
and, ‘You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.’

 

Today’s Meditation: Singleness of focus

 

From Eugene Petersen: ‘Where Your Treasure is’

‘God, the one and only – I’ll wait as long as he says.’ (Psalm 62:1 The Message)

God is not one among many. When we pray we are not covering our bases. Prayer is not a way of checking out a last resort of potential help. We understandably want to explore all the options: we write letters, make telephone calls, visit prospects, arrange interviews. We don’t know who might be useful to us at any one time. Of course we cultivate God. But that’s not what prayer’s about. We try it, but it doesn’t work.

Prayer is exclusive. Prayer is centering…We can’t pray with one eye on the main chance and a side glance for God. Prayer trains the soul to singleness of focus: for God alone.

 

A few moments of quiet reflection…

 

Prayers for others:

 

• pray for members of our church family in their places of work, that they make work and live there for God’s glory

• pray for our local schools, for staff and students and their families

• pray for those who come in to Food Co-op; for Monday Club; for those who come to Luncheon Club

• for those we know in particular need

 

Canticle:
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.

 

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.

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