This morning we are led to pray scripture.  I invite you to join your voice and heart with mine.

Together we pray,

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1). “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is your love for those who fear you” (Psalm 103:11) “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5). We “Give thanks to you the God of heaven. Your love endures forever (Psalm 136:26). “Because your love is better than life, our lips will glorify you. We will praise you as long as we live” (Psalm 65:4).

We know that “The papyrus cannot grow up without a marsh. Rushes cannot grow without water. While it is yet green and not cut down, it withers before any other plant. So are the paths of all who forget you” (Job 8:11-13). “Sorrow awaits those who look to Egypt for help, trusting their horses, chariots, and charioteers and depending on the strength of human armies instead of looking to the Lord” (Isaiah 31:1).

Yet, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you” (Psalm 86:5). You promise, “If my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll  listen from heaven, forgive your sins, and restore your land to health (2 Chronicles 7:14). “If we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—you won’t let us down; you’ll be true to yourself. You’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing” (1 John 1:9).

Thank you, that you said, “When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you” (Jeremiah 29:12-13). You said, “I the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58:11). Your promise was that “Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs” (Isaiah 35:3,6,7). You said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me – rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38). You said, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17). We come. We respond, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). “You satisfy the thirsty soul” (Psalm 107:9). “You pour water on the thirsty land” (Isaiah 44:3).

“You, Lord, are all we have, and you give us all we need; our future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to us; how good they are! We praise you Lord, because you guide us, and in the night our conscience warns us. We are always aware of your presence; you are near, and nothing can shake us. And so we are thankful and glad” (Psalm 16:5-9) “We give thanks to you Lord, for you are good” (Psalm 106:1). This is the day you have made. We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). AMEN

777: Mid All The Traffic Of The Ways

1. 'Mid all the traffic of the ways,
Turmoils without, within,
Make in my heart a quiet place
And come and dwell therein:

2. A little shrine of quietness
All sacred to Thyself,
Where Thou shalt all my soul possess,
And I may find myself:

3. A little place of mystic grace,
Of self and sin swept bare,
Where I may look into Thy face
And talk with Thee in prayer.

4. Come, occupy my silent place,
And make Thy dwelling there!
More grace is wrought in quietness
Than any is aware.

With care and in prayer,