Liturgical Morning Prayer - Day 4

Welcome to morning prayers. We are going to use the same liturgy each day this week. We hope that as it becomes more familiar it will help us to place God in the centre of our hearts and thoughts. It has been translated into French, Spanish and Indonesian. I will lead in English but feel free to read it in whichever language is easiest for you. 

The blue parts are the parts we read together. The reader will read the Scriptures. After the Psalm, you are welcome to pray silently or speak your praises out loud in whatever language you prefer to pray.

Opening sentences (all)

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.

Who is it that you seek?

We seek the Lord our God.

Do you seek Him with all your heart?

Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek Him with all your soul?

Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek Him with all your mind?

Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek Him with all your strength?

Amen. Christ, have mercy.

Declaration of faith (all)

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.

Scripture reading:

We join with God’s people in praise and thanksgiving using the words of Psalm 34:1-3

Psalm 34:1-3 (NLT) (Reader)

I will praise the Lord at all times.
     I will constantly speak his praises.

I will boast only in the Lord;
     let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
     let us exalt his name together.

Pause to pray either silently or out loud 

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) (Reader)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Pause to pray

Meditation (Leader)

Today’s meditation is in the form of a prayer for the Sabbath*

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe. You are the Author of Love and Life. You have given us the opportunity to work this past week – the privilege of serving you and your Kingdom in visible and invisible ways. For the work of our hands and hearts, we thank you.

We thank you for the things we did out of duty and the things we did out of delight – for projects, demands, chores, sore muscles and acts of kindness—for all that was planned and unplanned. Lord, receive it as our gift to you.

For all that was left undone because of distraction or laziness, forgive us, Lord Jesus.
For all that was left undone because we obeyed the Spirit's leading, we recognise your handiwork and give you thanks.

Now, the Sabbath lies before us and we are ready to cross the threshold. 

Lord Jesus, you are the Light of the world

You created and crafted this day of Sabbath Rest.

You bless it.
You crown it with glory. You call it holy.

Through it, you call us out of darkness into your love and light.
It is to be a day of refreshment and celebration.
It is a day of devotion and delight. Set apart since the beginning of time, you alone release us from the bondage of duty and demand.

As your chosen people, we will embrace this day of Sabbath Rest.
In keeping it, we remember you as our Creator and Rescue Redeemer. We do this now, with joy.

Enter our home and hearts today.

Almighty God, grant us and all our loved ones true rest on this Sabbath Day. May your presence drive out from among us anger and fear, worry and regret. Send your blessing upon us, that we may be people of the Word.

Heavenly Father,
We rejoice in the beauty of your world, the power of your Word,
the presence of your Holy Spirit,
and the love of family and friends.

It is from you we receive every good and perfect gift.

Open our eyes to see.
Giver of Life and Love,

Grant us your peace this day and always, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayers for others

We offer our prayers for our families to encounter God’s presence and rest

Pause to pray

We ask God to renew the strength of all participating in the Global Gathering, especially the staff team, Pastor Simon and the staff of the hotel.

Pause to pray

Canticle (all)

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 (all)

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.

Acknowledgements:

The liturgy and closing prayers are taken from the Northumbria Community morning prayer: https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/morning-prayer/

Sabbath prayer: *https://runhardrestwell.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Sabbath-Prayer.pdf