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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Seventeen - The Name.
Psalm 72 is in the style of a prayer that would be offered when a new king was cowned.
The prayer not only acknowledged the king, but also lay before him his people's expectations of his rule.
The king was anointed by God so he was expected to reflect God's nature of helping the helpless, giving strength to the weak.
.Prayers that the king's name would be remembered forever, were based on the hope, that the new king would fulfill his commitment to the weak, so prayers for him meant safety and happiness for all.
It is, however, sadly true that throughout history no king or leader has ever managed to reach these high standards, set by God.
Indeed it is interesting to reflect on our leaders of today.
How we distrust them all, as we see them manipulating the lives of ordinary people. Favouring the rich and famous. Promoting themselves as our rescuers, who will save us from terror, financial crisis even from ourselves. Whilst so often corrupted by the power they hold. Tempted in many ways and so often, it seems, unable to resist the lure of that temptation.
As Christians, we know that it is only in the name of Jesus that there will be found rescue for the poor, needy and helpless.
We have the assurance that our king, Jesus, is deeply concerned with our needs and suffering and compassionately identifies with them.
So we pray in confidence in his name, praying that his kingdom will come reflects our expectation, that this will bring peace and blessing to the whole of creation.
So we call on his name both in our prayers and in the depth of our souls.
Bible Passage: - Psalm 72: 12-19 (NIV)
For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given to him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
May corn abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure for ever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvellous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name for ever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
Contemplation Saying.
"He will deliver the needy who cry out"
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith 322 - "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear"
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
We are known by you by our names, when all is stripped away from us, we come to you because you call our name.
Facebook Prayer
We are known by you by our names, when all is stripped away from us, we come to you because you call our name.
In a quiet whisper, in a roaring wind, in a blaze of light, our experience of that call is as individual as each of us is and we thank you that your call speaks to our very souls need.
Because of your call we give you our worship, in awe and wonder, for we have heard our own name on Jesus' lips, calling us into his presence. Amen.
Full Prayer
Father God, we praise you that Jesus is the king we desire and need; that in his life we are able to witness that compassion we so hope for.
We pray that we will always put our trust in your love and righteousness.
We pray in the power of your name, for we know you as Saviour and friend.
The relationship you have established with us, means that we know you by name, as we know all of those who are close to us.
We call your name, in our moments of joy and sadness, as we know that you are there and will respond to our call.
We can truly say "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believers ear, it soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds and drives away our fears".
You are truly our King and we bow before you in prayer. Not from fear or duty but in wonder and awe that our God, our shield and protector is here before us as we pray.
We pray now and always in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Loving Lord, what power there is in a name.
We are known by you by each of our names, when all is stripped away from us, we come to you because you call our name.
In a quiet whisper, in a roaring wind, in a blaze of light, our experience of that call is as individual as each of us is and we thank you that your call speaks to our very souls need.
Because of your call we give you our worship, in awe and wonder, we hear our own name on Jesus' lips, calling us into his presence.
We pray, "How can it be that you know even me", that knowing me as you do, you still call me into your loving embrace despite my ever present flaws and failings.
Merciful God, you are forgiving and compassionate aware of our failings, distressed by them but willing to give us countless chances to remain in your presence.
We thank you for the power of Jesus' name which has broken the hold of death and which promises us a future in your Kingdom.
We pray that you help us to speak your word, so that all may hear your name and none may miss you speak their name in your invitation to eternal life.
Lord hear our prayers. Amen.