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<\/a>One of my favourite smells is that of a newly mown lawn and even better with a short shower to intensify the depth of that smell. It is another of our senses which we can use to experience God’s creation.<\/p>\nOur Psalm today uses many wonderful images to show the result of the coming of the promised perfect King. One of which is this image of rain falling on new mown fields.<\/p>\n
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The Psalm foretells the coming of Jesus and the way that he will display his Kiingship, however, it also gives us the opportunity to consider how we are supposed to lead. A leader is supposed to judge with righteousness, to judge the poor with justice.<\/p>\n A leader is supposed to care for the needy, the poor, and those who have no help.<\/p>\n A leader is supposed to redeem the the weak and the needy from oppression and violence.<\/p>\n Sadly as we look around the world such leaders are in short supply.<\/p>\n Endow the king with your justice, O God, May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,<\/span> Praise be to the Lord<\/span> God, the God of Israel,<\/span> Hymn: Singing the Faith No: 228 – Hail to the Lord’s Anointed<\/p>\n \u201cmay the whole earth be filled with his glory<\/span><\/span>\u201d.<\/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\u2019s 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 May your Spirit fill us with hope. That hope which inspires us to follow your will and take up your call to do justice and love mercy. Amen.<\/p>\n Loving God, teach us how to truly love as you do. Not the easy to love but love for the stranger, the refugee, the difficult person, the homeless, the oppressed, the dispossessed. All are loved by you. Help us to demonstrate your compassionate love in our lives, in our thoughts, words and actions. Amen.<\/p>\n You are our ever present God, in all that you do you are righteous and just.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nPsalm 72:1-7<\/span> New International Version – UK<\/span><\/h4>\n
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\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>the royal son with your righteousness.<\/span><\/span>
\nMay he judge your people in righteousness,<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>your afflicted ones with justice.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nthe hills the fruit of righteousness.<\/span><\/span>
\nMay he defend the afflicted among the people<\/span>
\nand save the children of the needy;<\/span><\/span>
\nmay he crush the oppressor.<\/span><\/span>
\nMay he endure as long as the sun,<\/span>
\nas long as the moon, through all generations.<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\nMay he be like rain falling on a mown field,<\/span>
\nlike showers watering the earth.<\/span><\/span>
\nIn his days may the righteous flourish<\/span>
\nand prosperity abound till the moon is no more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nV 18-19<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>who alone does marvellous deeds.<\/span><\/span>
\nPraise be to his glorious name for ever;<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>may the whole earth be filled with his glory.<\/span><\/span>
\nAmen and Amen.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nPrayers and Reflection<\/h2>\n
Helpful Hymn:<\/h3>\n
Contemplation saying.<\/h3>\n
Let us pray together.<\/h3>\n
Contemplative Prayer.<\/h3>\n
Twitter Prayer<\/h3>\n
Facebook Prayer<\/h3>\n
Full Prayer<\/h3>\n