Today the Praying the Psalms is going to take on a different path. I spent the day in Valley Presbytery in Nova Scotia, visiting as part of my duties as President of Maritime Conference. I was offered the opportunity of an order of the day, and so I decided to get people to talk about their faith with one another
For me, prayer is integral to my faith, not just because it reminds me that I am not alone but it gets me to take the time, as the psalm does today, to give glory to God. Prayer allows us to center ourselves when we feel lost, to calm ourselves in the chaos, and it connects us with something greater that is, the one that the psalm extols and God and King.
Let us come before Good in prayer, offering praise, seeking guidance, and deepening our faith.
Psalm 145:1-8:
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name for ever and ever. Every day I will bless you, and praise your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud your works to another,and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendour of your majesty,and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed, and I will declare your greatness. They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
We come before you, O God, eager to be your people and yet often shy about sharing our faith in you with our brothers and sisters of this world. Shine in and through us, and guide us into closer relationship with one another, as we seek to discover more fully the glory of your image reflected in our brothers and sisters.
As we share the story of your grace may we treasure the tradition that has been handed to us. When we pass it on to our sons and daughters we pray that it shines ever brighter with your revealed glory.
We offer this and all of our prayers in the name of the Christ who invites us to carry the gospel to the world. AMEN
Blessings,
Rev. Richard