Vespers - 26 November 2017


(For thanksgiving): Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ. Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then have nothing else to fear; make you His service your delight; he’ll make your wants His care (Trinity Hymnal #624, v.1 and 6). As a congregation, we give thanks to you, O God, for all your care and sustaining mercies…. We ask you to awaken our hearts – hearts often numbed by the rush and rumble of our daily lives – awaken our hearts to be consistently thankful and grateful for the big and simple things we are given. Things like daily bread, children and grandchildren, friends, parents and grandparents, the ability to enjoy the taste of food and wine; and also a church family. Grant us the wisdom and will to promote peace with all people, as far as it depends on us. O Lord, hear our prayer. 

(For troubles): We remember those who are thrown around by the stormy seas of emotional and physical distress, as well as those clambering to get their heads above the overwhelming troubles of their lives….Please look kindly on them and supply them with every good and perfect gift that will restore them and encourage their hearts, so that they may rise up and give you thanks. And bring us to see clearly how we may be part of your remedy and resolution. O Lord, hear our prayer.

(For relationships): Help us, merciful and kind Father, to mercifully and kindly look on others who are in genuine need, who feel rocky and rickety under the weight of poverty, poor health, and privation. Help us to be merciful, even as you, our Father, are merciful. To judge not, and we will not be judged; to condemn not, and we will not be condemned; to forgive, and we will be forgiven; to give, and it will be given to us. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into our laps. For you have said that with the measure we use it will be measured back to us (Luke 6.36-38). Help us with our relationships in our families and neighborhoods… O Lord, hear our prayer.

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