Scripture as Prayer

Worship notes for Jan. 10, 2021

Approaching the Lord in prayer can be done in several ways, one of which is to allow his word to inform our prayer. Often, the call to worship I write is a reflection on a Psalm. In addition, this week our confession of sin includes the very passages upon which the call to worship was based. Some passages can seem foreign to us. Yet, with a little effort, most passages can turn our hearts to prayer or even reveal answers to prayer as we seek our Father. This, of course, is nothing new. Part of my focus in planning worship is to simply exemplify how we can turn a passage into prayer, using the Scriptures to guide what we ask and what we think on. Seeking our Heavenly Father in his word is, as it were, sitting upon his knees and bending our ears toward his voice. 

Here is the Scripture unchanged for our corporate confession of sin: 
Psalm 65:1–4 and Psalm 102:1, Psalm 143:1, Psalm 69:5 

Leader: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.  
All: Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! 
Leader: Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
All: Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.

Here is my reflection turned into a Call to Worship based on the above passages:

Leader: Lift up your voice to God, who reigns in Zion, for praise is due his name! He hears your prayers and atones for your transgressions.  
All: Cry unto the Lord, for he hear your prayer! 
Leader: Come near and dwell within his courts! Be satisfied with the goodness of his house, the holiness of his temple! 
All: Give voice to your pleas for mercy! For nothing is hidden from the LORD, our God.

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