Psalm 1,2,10,33,71,91

Psalm 10:1-3 Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? 2 In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD.

Revelation 6:9-11 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

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A Prayer

God of Truth,

Reveal yourself to us today.  Be the truth that we rally around.  If anything be against your will drive it from us.  If anything be your will bend our hearts and minds to it.  Even though we all may be seeking your truth we do not come to the same truths.  Bind us together in spite of ourselves.  Make us a whole community.  Give us patience and the willingness to embrace the diversity of your perceived truth.  None of us fully know you.  All of us who dare to teach sometimes teach falsely.  Use even our errors and misunderstandings for your good.  We are your Church, we are all trying to follow you, help us as we struggle to embrace one another.  You are over any conflict whether great or small, be in this conflict.  Be the God we turn to, keep us safe.  Use us to teach, minister, love, heal, protect, guide, and embrace the world around us.  We are imperfect, but we are trying.  Turn our imperfections into your perfect will.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Thank you God. Amen.

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