A TIME TO STOP . . . A TIME TO PRAY

Please pause with me at 12 noon today to continue to reflect on the current situation but also the love and mercy of God.

 

READING -

Psalm 55

Hear my prayer, O God;

don't turn away from my plea!

2 Listen to me and answer me;

   I am worn out by my worries.

3 I am terrified by the threats of my enemies,

   crushed by the oppression of the wicked.

   They bring trouble on me;

   they are angry with me and hate me.

4 I am terrified,

   and the terrors of death crush me.

5 I am gripped by fear and trembling;

   I am overcome with horror.

6 I wish I had wings like a dove.

   I would fly away and find rest.

7 I would fly far away

   and make my home in the desert.

8 I would hurry and find myself a shelter

   from the raging wind and the storm.

9 Confuse the speech of my enemies, O Lord!

   I see violence and riots in the city,

10 surrounding it day and night,

     filling it with crime and trouble.

11 There is destruction everywhere;

     the streets are full of oppression and fraud.

12 If it were an enemy making fun of me,

     I could endure it;

     if it were an opponent boasting over me,

     I could hide myself from him.

13 But it is you, my companion,

     my colleague and close friend.

14 We had intimate talks with each other

     and worshiped together in the Temple.

15 May my enemies die before their time;

     may they go down alive into the world of the dead!

     Evil is in their homes and in their hearts.

16 But I call to the Lord God for help,

     and he will save me.

17 Morning, noon, and night

     my complaints and groans go up to him,

     and he will hear my voice.

18 He will bring me safely back

     from the battles that I fight

     against so many enemies.

19 God, who has ruled from eternity,

     will hear me and defeat them;

     for they refuse to change,

     and they do not fear him.

20 My former companion attacked his friends;

     he broke his promises.

21 His words were smoother than cream,

     but there was hatred in his heart;

     his words were as soothing as oil,

     but they cut like sharp swords.

22 Leave your troubles with the Lord,

     and he will defend you;

     he never lets honest people be defeated.

23 But you, O God, will bring those murderers and liars to their graves

     before half their life is over.

     As for me, I will trust in you.

 

A HYMN and a PRAYER -

I am trusting Thee to guide me;

Thou alone shalt lead;

Every day and hour supplying

All my need.

I am trusting Thee for power,

Thine can never fail;

Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me

Must prevail.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;

Never let me fall;

I am trusting Thee forever,

And for all.

 

COLLECT -

O God,

you are the author of peace

and lover of concord.

To know you is eternal life,

to serve you is perfect freedom.

Defend your servants in every stress and danger,

that we may trust in your defence

and not fear the power of any adversaries;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.