Evening Prayer Friday, 29 May 2020

I wait for the Lord with longing;
I put my hope in his word.
My soul waits for the Lord
more eagerly than watchmen for the morning,
like those who watch for the morning.

Let Israel look for the Lord.
For in the Lord is love unfailing
and great is his power to deliver.
He alone will set Israel free.

Psalm 130: 5–8

Can’t you just hear the Roman soldiers of the occupation: ‘These Jews – any excuse for a knees up. Fifty days after the last bash they want to have another one! Thousands of people from all the ends of the earth in Jerusalem for their Sabbath. Think of the security risks – the diseases they carry – the crimes they’ll commit. Let’s hope it doesn’t end in disaster like the last one.’

Lord, we watch and we wait for the passing of the plague.
Like the disciples awaiting a companion we wait in anticipation
for a time of proximity, a time to be close, a time of companionship.
Grasping tightly to your grace, we await the morning
in the certain hope of your unfailing love and mighty power of deliverance.

In the cool of evening,
Lord hear us as we pray.

Lord, breathe your spirit of refreshment through the lives of those who care for the sick.
Let your spirit calm the souls of the dying and comfort all the bereaved.
Give wisdom to those in authority that they may be flushed with the balm
to heal our wounded nation and give priority to our common good.

In the evening twilight,
Lord hear us as we pray.

Patiently I waited for the Lord;
he bent down to me and listened to my cry.
He raised me out of the miry pit,
out of the mud and clay.
He set my feet on rock
and gave me a firm footing.
On my lips he put a new song:
a song of praise to our God.
Many will look with awe
and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1–3

Those Roman soldiers were in for a great surprise: they were waiting for evil but were overwhelmed with goodness. They expected anarchy but were confronted with amazing unity. Instead of a people in lockdown they discovered the challenge of hope.

Lord, we thank you for all the blessings showered upon us
by people seldom seen yet totally reliable:
bless them in their labour to keep us fed,
keep us safe and keep us in touch with each other.
When life returns to whatever will be normal,
may we not forget their kindness,
their dedication and plain hard work.

We have marked Lent, Passiontide, Resurrection and Ascension
as your people, a congregation of computer code and mobile phone.
As we wait to celebrate the gift of the Spirit, the Comforter, the Breath of God,
we are invisibly united across time and distance.
Lord bless our waiting with joyful hope.

At the close of the day,
Lord hear us as we pray.

Our Father in heaven.
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us in the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.

Amen

We complete our prayers with Romans 12: 12

Let Hope keep you joyful, stand firm in tribulation, be persistent in prayer.

Good night, my friends, and sleep well in the Lord.

Cheryl Montgomery