Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Psalm 3 ‘Trust in God in Adversity’
1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying to me,
‘There is no help for you in God.’
3 But you, O Lord,
are a shield around me, my glory,
and the one who lifts up my head.
4 I cry aloud to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I am not afraid
of tens of thousands of people
who have set themselves
against me all around.
7 Rise up, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Deliverance belongs to the Lord;
may your blessing be on your people!
A Meditation on Psalm 3
Troubles surround me on every side;
day after day their numbers increase.
Time and again, I hear people say:
“Where is this God you believe in?”
But I know that He is always beside me;
I worship Him, and He will never leave my side.
When I call His name, He hears me;
whether I wake or sleep, He gives me strength to go on.
I need not be afraid, whatever may befall,
for my God is the certain hope of all who trust in Him.
O my dear Lord, I need faith!
faith enough to worship you, even when I cannot see your face;
faith enough to know that you will never leave me,
even when I cannot feel your presence;
faith enough to be sure that you will answer my prayers,
even when I cannot hear your voice.
Lord, give me such faith!
Through the endless days and the lonely watches of the night,
strengthen and support me, O Lord.
Even if I cannot feel your loving arms around me,
help me to know that they are always there;
and, above all, take away my fear Lord,
for you alone are the source of all hope to those who trust in you.
Amen.
Meditation provided by Hazel Blake, written by Rev. Peter English.
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All material within this order of worship is reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356