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Our Psalm today is one of praise for the power of God demonstrated in salvation.<\/p>\n
The psalm can be divided into three sections. Praising God for his saving power in the past, the present and the future. These are illustrated with the rescue from bondage in Egypt, the safety of the people amidst their enemies and rejoicing that his people will be brought safetly home to the mountain of God.<\/p>\n
We too can look at our lives and the phases we have lived are living and will live.<\/p>\n
We have been gathered by God, he is beside us each new day and has promised through Jesus that we will arrive safely home.<\/p>\n
What a wonderful truth this is and all because of our champion, Jesus and his death and resurrection.<\/p>\n
In this psalm we again have a prophecy of Jesus – the one who ascended on high, leading us into the presence of God.<\/p>\n
Jesus has fought the battle with death and won the victory. So, we can rest in him, knowing that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, this very day.<\/p>\n
Bible Passage: – Psalm 68:7 – 18 (NIV)<\/b><\/p>\n
When you, God, went out before your people,
\nwhen you marched through the wilderness,<\/i><\/p>\n
the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
\nbefore God, the One of Sinai,
\nbefore God, the God of Israel.<\/p>\n
You gave abundant showers, O God;
\nyou refreshed your weary inheritance.<\/p>\n
Your people settled in it,
\nand from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.<\/p>\n
The Lord announces the word,
\nand the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:<\/p>\n
‘Kings and armies flee in haste;
\nthe women at home divide the plunder.<\/p>\n
Even while you sleep among the sheepfolds,
\nthe wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
\nits feathers with shining gold.’<\/p>\n
When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
\nit was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.<\/p>\n
Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,
\nMount Bashan, rugged mountain,<\/p>\n
why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
\nat the mountain where God chooses to reign,
\nwhere the Lord himself will dwell for ever?<\/p>\n
The chariots of God are tens of thousands
\nand thousands of thousands;
\nthe Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.<\/p>\n
When you ascended on high,
\nyou took many captives;
\nyou received gifts from people,
\neven from the rebellious –
\nthat you, Lord God, might dwell there.<\/p>\n
Contemplation Saying.<\/b><\/p>\n
“where the Lord himself will dwell for ever”<\/i><\/p>\n
Contemplative Prayer.<\/b><\/p>\n
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,<\/p>\n
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,<\/p>\n
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.<\/p>\n
Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers.<\/p>\n
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.<\/p>\n
Hymn: Singing the Faith – “”<\/b><\/p>\n
Let us pray together.<\/b><\/p>\n
Twitter Prayer<\/b><\/p>\n
Help us to know that the cross, like the tomb, is empty because you are our King of life, who has overcome death. Amen<\/p>\n
Facebook Prayer<\/b><\/p>\n
Help us to know that the cross, like the tomb, is empty because you are our King of life, who has overcome death.<\/p>\n
We pray especially this week, in quiet gratitude, for the lives of Joy and Lois, both preachers of your word, who now share your heavenly kingdom, which is promised to us all, through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus.<\/p>\n
Although we will weep and miss them, we know that they are safely at rest with you. Hallelujah! Amen.<\/p>\n
Full Prayer<\/b><\/p>\n
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Loving Father, we just want to thank you for the power we have in our lives because of Jesus.<\/p>\n
We ask that we will always be able to clothe ourselves in courage and confidence because of him. That as we run the race of life we may strive to be the very best that we can be. Following the example he has given us of love and compassion.<\/p>\n
Help us to look always to the cross as a symbol of your overcoming death. That the cross like the tomb is empty because you are our King of life who has overcome death.<\/p>\n
We pray especially this week in quiet gratitude for the lives of Joy and Lois, both preachers of your word, now sharing in your heavenly kingdom which is promised to us all, through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus.<\/p>\n
Although we will weep and miss them we know that they are safely at rest with you. Giving you praise and worship, singing hymns along with your heavenly host.<\/p>\n
We pray that you be with their families at this sad time of loss. Enfold them in your loving embrace, rest your hands of power and peace on their lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.<\/p>\n