1st June. 2020. Daily Devotion.

Psalm 17:1-6

A prayer of David.

1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Nicodemus came to Jesus in the middle of the night. The centurion came in the middle of the day. The leper and the sinful woman appeared in the middle of crowds. Zacchaeus appeared in the middle of a tree. Matthew had a party for him.

The educated. The powerful. The rejected. The sick. The lonely. The wealthy. Who would have ever assembled such a crew? All they had in common were their empty hope chests, long left vacant by charlatans and profiteers. Though they had nothing to offer, they asked for everything: a new birth, a second chance, a fresh start, a clean conscience. And without exception their requests were honoured. From Six Hours One Friday

If this is also your experience of God in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will live within us and we can know God in a way different from how we “know” anything else. He will speak to us in a language we can understand. On this second day of the Season of Pentecost you have reason to join the disciples and apostles to “tell in your own tongue the mighty works of God.” Acts 2:11

A Song of Praise

Bless the Lord all you works of the Lord: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord you heavens: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord all people on earth: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
O people of God bless the Lord: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord you priests of the Lord: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord you servants of the Lord: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.
Bless the Lord all you of upright spirit: bless the Lord you that are holy and humble in heart.
All Bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit: sing his praise and exalt him for ever.

For the Spirit of Prayer

Almighty God, you who pour out the spirit of grace and of supplication to all who ask for it, deliver me when I draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections, I may worship You in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let your prayers range far and wide for your family, your friends, your neighbours and our nation in this time of uncertainty and pain.

God our Creator, you call the stars by name and set the fireflies dancing, you make the mountains burst into song and embolden flowers of spring and summer to open, we pause to give deep thanks for the beauty which surrounds us always and for the promise that life goes on.

Set in our hearts a hope more resilient than the coronavirus and assure us of your power to bring good even out of the most formidable diseases.

God of healing and hope, we pray that you will cool the fevered brow of the sick and speak of love stronger than death to those who lie dying. Give healing compassion to all who care for the sick and encourage those facing isolation with your peace-giving presence. In Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen Adapted from Jeffry Myers.

Benediction

Oh God Almighty, send me Your light and truth, to keep this day and all the days of my life. And may Your mighty hand protect me, and all my brothers and sisters who have joined me in prayer this day, blessing our homes and our lives. Amen.