Evening Prayer:

 

In Prayer we do not act, God does

 

Wednesday January 21st 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: Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b]

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

 Reflection on the reading:

• Read slowly through the passage 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: God gives Joy

From Eugene Petersen: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

 

One of the most interesting and remarkable things Christians learn is that laughter does not exclude weeping. Christian joy is not an escape from sorrow. Pain and hardship still come, but they are unable to drive out the happiness of the redeemed…

            Joy is what God gives, not what we work up. Laughter is the delight that things are working together for good for those who love God,…an overflow of spirits that comes from feeling good not about yourself but about God.

 

 

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.

 

 

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