Evening Prayer Thursday, 10 December 2020
A reading of Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam<
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.’
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46
Dear God, you are our refuge and strength,
and you are always present to help us in any kind of trouble.
We give you grateful thanks that, whatever may beset us,
we need fear nothing as long as we put our trust in you.
You refresh us and make us glad with the same living waters
of your Word whose streams make glad your Holy City.
We pray that we may have compassion to bring your comfort
to those about us who may be troubled or distressed
by the dark times through which we pass.
We thank you for the dedicated work of all those have striven
to develop, provide, distribute and deliver the new vaccine,
and we pray that their work will help bring the Covid-19 virus under control.
We pray, especially, that the commitment will be maintained
to make the vaccine available throughout the world, to poor and rich nations alike.
This evening, as we prepare ourselves for another night of rest,
we pray that we may take the time to be still,
and know that you are God.
Give us ears to listen and hear your Word in the stillness.
Calm our troubled hearts, and the troubled hearts of all your people.
We shall exalt you, and praise your holy Name,
and pray that you will be exalted throughout the world.
We thank you for all the blessings you have given us this day,
and pray that we may respond to the challenges you set us,
that we may grow in our discipleship of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray,
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night,
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
And finally:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, evermore.
Amen
