Morning Prayer Friday, 18 June 2021

Good morning, Cornerstone People,
as we rise to greet the day with thanks, as we rise to meet the day with praise.
As the sun appears and the showers clear, sing a psalm of the glory of the Lord.

I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered in shame.
The poor man called and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The Angel of the Lord encircles God’s people
and delivers them.

Psalm 34:2–7

A month of cold and drought for Easter, a month of rain for Pentecost.
A month of heat and rolling thunder to herald the summer.
Each day is preparation for all that is unknown, approached with care, perhaps in weariness.
As the sun appears and the showers clear, offer all activity today into the hands of God.

Thou art the peace of all things calm.
Thou art the place to hide from harm.
Thou art the light that shines in dark.
Thou are the heart’s eternal spark.
Thou art the door that’s open wide.
Thou art the guest who waits inside.
Thou art the stranger at the door.
Thou art the calling of the poor.
Thou art my Lord and with me still.
Thou art my love, keep me from ill.
Thou art the light, the truth, the way.
Thou art my Saviour this very day.

‘Thou Art God’ – David Adam

Our God, as we begin our tasks for today, open our eyes to the world around us.
For our friends struggling with recovery or illness or decline,
we ask your calm, we ask your healing, we ask your grace.
For people we serve, for people we meet, for judgments we’re required to make,
give us wisdom, keep us gracious, top up our reserves of forgiveness.
Lord, may we use this day as your people redeemed and restored.

Amen

I grew up in the American Midwest, commonly known as the tornado belt.
The heat of a summer’s day could end with a yellow sky,
a haze of heat and that ominous black swirling thread reaching from the underbelly of thunder clouds towards the ground.
We learnt how to open windows away from the storm and how to access the refuge beneath the house.
We knew the terror of our neighbour’s garage lifted over our roof and demolishing the telegraph pole shared by the neighbourhood.
We learnt to live with extremes.
An examination this week of UK preparedness for extremes was not complementary.
The UK is not ready for bizarre weather, the inevitable outcome of disregard for the climate.
Protection from heat will soon be of equal regard to protection from cold.
We need to develop respect for the unpredictable weather.

Our God on this new day refreshed by rain, wash away the dust of complacency
and help us change the way we treat the world, trusting that you will help us do it.

Amen

Growing up in a temperamental climate where winter snows could suffocate
and summer heat could kill, Psalm 121 became more than poetry – it is embedded in faith.

I lift my eyes to the mountains –
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip –
he who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, the one who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you –
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm –
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and for evermore.

Psalm 121

As God protects and guides, live today within this awesome love.

Cheryl Montgomery