OPENING PRAYER
Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the LORD, you that stand by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion. Psalm 134 At the Close of the Day (BCP 121)
REFRAIN
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 ESV
THE WORD OF GOD/A READING
Psalm 74 Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
O Beloved of my heart, what does it mean
That I feel separated from You?
How is it that I fear your anger
and condemnation?
I have known your Presence in days gone by,
When You counseled me as a guide
And a friend.
I remember your holy temple,
My heart.
In your mercy, direct me once again
Before fear destroys me and
Leads me too far astray!
Doubt and anxiety have crept into the
Inner tabernacle,
Erecting walls as a defense.
My mind dwells on hurts of the past
And foresees a dim future.
All the beauty and joy of companioning
With You
Is lost in the anger that consumes me;
I become a prisoner in my own being.
I say to myself, “I will subdue these
Fears,” even knowing that
Only your refining Fire will
Rout them out.
I do not know my inner self;
How long must I walk alone?
LIke many, will I fear crying out
To the One, who knows all hearts?
How long, O Beloved, will fear laugh
At my folly?
Will it keep me bound forever?
In your mercy, direct me once again,
Before fear destroys me and
Leads me too far astray!
You have companioned us forever,
Working salvation in the midst
Of our humanity.
You fashion us together even as
We seek to destroy one another;
You are our Rock as we face
The demons within.
You forgive us when we are
Contrite, and
Nourish our souls in the
Wilderness.
You are the Living Water assuaging
Our thirst,
A comfort in our desert days,
Our barren ways.
Who is like You?
Yours is the day, yours also the
Night;
All suns and galaxies are established
By your Word.
You created the boundaries of the
World;
The seasons belong to You.
When I call upon You, O Beloved,
Pride and arrogance flee,
And your strength upholds me.
You revive my spirit, and I live
In peace; for
You are with the poor in spirit
Forever.
I shall always remember your covenant,
As the shadows within rise up
To the Light.
Love will stand by as these fears
Are released;
In the Silence where we meet,
I shall praise your Name!
O Beloved, counsel me with love,
In your mercy, direct me once again
Before fear destroys me and
Leads me too far astray!
O Companioning Presence, make your home
In my heart.
REFRAIN
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 ESV
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for this beautiful and precious baby. I dedicate this baby to you, knowing that you have entrusted me with him/her. May your will be done with his/her life. With that, let me release any anxious thoughts about his/her health and safety, now and in the future. – Rachel
CONCLUSION
The Early Evening Collect (BCP, p 120)
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.