Month: January 2021

Sing praises, all of God’s people;
Sing praises of God’s goodness!
Sing praises of God’s mercy!
Sing praise of God’s love!

God created this wondrous world for us
Full of unique and complex ecosystems and technological innovation,
Full of innumerable varieties of plants and animals and uniquely wonderful people.
Let all of creation sing God’s praises!

God moves through all creation;
Inspiring good works.
God call us to connection;
For we are all connected through God.

There are times when we go astray;
When we put our own selfish desires ahead of God’s plan.
Even in our missteps and mistakes God is with us,
Waiting for us to open our hearts to God once again.

So, open you hearts;
Hear where God is calling you.
Lift up your voice;
Sing praises to God!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+33&version=NRSV

God, you know I have made my fair share of mistakes;
I have participated in actions that have hurt others and hurt myself;
Sometimes through my ignorance but other times
fully knowing the consequences of my actions.

And yet, you still love and forgive my wrongdoings.
What a joy it is to know that you do hold me to my mistakes,
But allow me room to grow.

My transgressions have weighed heavily on my heart.
I deeply regret the hurt I have caused,
And wish I could undo it!

In admitting when my action or inaction has caused hurt,
I am able to let go of some of the crippling guilt,
And be open to your forgiveness;
Which gives me the courage I need to seek forgiveness from others.

Knowing your love has helped me to break the cycle,
To stop making the same mistakes,
By looking deeper at what motivates my actions.

When I hold your love at the centre of all do
I am able to approach each situation with an open mind and open heart,
So that I am more aware of how my actions impact those around me.

I still have a lot to learn,
And a long way to go,
But with your guidance hopefully I won’t make
quite so many mistakes along the way.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+32&version=NRSV

God, when I was lost and felt alone you were there.
When I didn’t know which way to go you illuminated my path.
You saved me from despair and gave my life purpose.
But there are still days I struggle to get it right.

Be patient with me;
I still need time…
Time to process what I have learned about the world,
And about myself.

I still get overwhelmed and lost at times.
Sometimes feels like I am making the same mistakes over and over again,
But each time I am learning;
Moving closer to the path you have set before me.

The difference is now when I feel lost, I know I am not alone;
You are there with me,
Calling me back;
No matter how many times it takes.

I am in awe of your patience,
And constant presence;
Guiding me along a good path;
A little more each day.

Thank you, God for you unceasing presence;
Constantly working for good in the world.
When we let your love in it shines through in all we do;
Reminding us that one day we all be united in love.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+31&version=NRSV

I sing your praises, O God,
For you called me out of darkness,
When I was in the depths of despair,
You lifted me up and taught me to hope again.

Now I can rejoice because I know you are with me always.
You are with me in joy and in sorrow;
Celebrating with me in the light;
And showing me the gift in the dark.

You have helped me to find a strength within myself,
That I didn’t know that I possessed;
A strength rooted in your love,
That guides me in all I do.

When I was lost and cried out for help,
You found me and sent people to help light my way.
Use me now, O God, as you see fit,
To light the way for others;
So all may sing your praises!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+30&version=NRSV

Open your mind, to see God at work in creation.
Open your hearts, to hear God’s call.

God moves through all things;
Connecting all things;
Inspiring all things.

Listen, do you hear?
Do you hear God’s voice in the gently whispering wind?
Do you hear God’s voice in the softly burbling stream?
Do you hear God’s voice in the encapsulating stillness of the forest?

Listen, do you hear?
Do you hear God’s voice in the warm crackling of a fire?
Do you hear God’s voice in the bustle of movement in the city centre?
Do you hear God’s voice in the unique and diverse ways animals communicate?

Listen, do you hear?
Do you hear God’s voice in powerful pounding of a waterfall?
Do you hear God’s voice in the loud crack of thunder?
Do you hear God’s voice in the wail of an electric guitar?

Listen, do you hear?
God’s voice is all around us;
Connecting and uniting;
Comforting and guiding.

Listen, do you hear?
What is God calling you to?

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+29&version=NRSV

God you are my centre and my guide;
Without you I would be lost.
Once again I look to you for direction;
For help walking your path of love.

Because there is so much hate working its way into our world;
Political violence and unrest;
People making selfish choices in this time of pandemic
without thinking about how they impact everyone around them;
Discrimination against people because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality, ability…
Discrimination against people for simply being who you made them to be.
And the people spreading this hate and inciting this violence
are claiming to do it in your name!
It angers me to the very centre of my soul!
To the depth of me being!
How can people doing these unspeakable acts of hate
think they are working in your name?!
Help them to see the error in their ways,
And cleanse my heart of the anger taking root in me,
So that I may respond in love
and help to dismantle these places of discrimination.

Praise and thanksgiving to you God,
For I know you hear my prayers,
And this time of trial will not last for ever.

Though there are many places suffering in the world,
You are there with us,
Inspiring good works and facilitating change.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+28&version=NRSV

God you pulled me from the darkness;
So, what do I have to fear with you by my side?
You are my strength when I am weak;
My courage when I am afraid.

I still see so much evil in the world;
People hurting others, denying their rights,
and trying to assert dominance over the marginalized,
But I trust their reign of terror will not last.

In world that cries out for division;
I still hope for unity.
Though we still to often resort to violence to settle our differences;
I trust that we can and will change for the better.

Because your Love is still at work in the world;
Inspiring people to do good works,
To speak out against injustices,
And give voice to those who were silenced!

I know it is a road that won’t be easy;
I know it won’t happen overnight;
But if we trust in your goodness,
And are embolden by your strength,
We can make positive change!

Help me, O God, to be a part of that change.
Cleanse my heart of hatred and sin,
So I am not tempted to descend to the level of the people spreading hate.

Teach me to live my life in your love;
To spread joy, not hate;
To help others see the place of good in the world;
So, we can help that goodness to spread.

Give me the strength and courage
to wait for your guidance,
So that each step I take
leads me closer to you.

Amen!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+27&version=NRSV