“As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! 2 I thirst for God, for the living God. I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?” 3 I cannot eat; I weep day and night. All day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” 4 I will remember and weep. For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God, shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival. 5 Why are you depressed, O my soul? Why are you upset? Wait for God! For I will again give thanks to my God for his saving intervention.” Psalm 42:1-5. New English Translation.
Our God,
Sounds like the Psalmist is having a bad day, a bad week possibly and a tough life? It is thought He is sad because he is not able to get to the Temple. For him it was a special place, the place to meet You. We now have Jesus and know that we are able to meet You wherever we are. But we too have tough days, difficult weeks and even an ‘annus horribilis’ as the queen once said.
We mourned when we could not meet in the church building because of Covid. We missed our fellowship and shared worship. If we had written this Psalm at that time, we would add longing for a cup of tea together at the end of the service!? But it is behind us now. We have new worries!?
We could join the Psalmist saying: Why are you depressed – downcast – O my soul? But like the Psalmist we need to look above present circumstances. Wars, civil unrest and rumours of war.. The Psalmist does not give up – or accept he is just a victim. He has a word with himself! He tells himself he must wait on You, God. He knows he will thank You in the future.
We know You have not left us (Matthew 28:20). You sent us Your Holy Spirit. Nothing can separate us from Your love (Romans 8:39). You can still the storm (Mark 4:39), provide our daily bread (Matthew 6:11), be our strength to pass through rivers of difficulty (Isaiah 43:2). We have proved You in our past. We will trust you in our present, and will praise You for our future.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Loving Father God,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Parliament resitting start of September.
For world kings, dictators, leaders and rulers.
For Ukraine. Please end war, soon.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for a reconciliation and lasting peace. Keep them talking.
For other countries with uneasy borders. India and Pakistan. North and South Korea. Peace.
For refugees here and in terrible camps overseas. Hope and a future.
For all Christian organisations seeking to help practically and spiritually around the world.
For those living in fear and anxiety in Myanmar. Bless and protect Your church there.
For families as they enjoy the last of the school holidays. For their parents, guardians and carers.
For us to look up and see all we have to be thankful for. Help us to use today wisely.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 27th August 2024
There is a beautiful prayer at the end of the worship.
As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You
You’re my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
Lyrics: Martin J. Nystrom