San Joaquin

This is a confusing moment in church history, particularly so in San Joaquin.

Psalm 33

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

May all the Anglicans in San Joaquin lift their voices in praise of You, O Lord.

Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.  Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

In the face of each uncertainty that Your people encounter, may rivers of living music flow into their hearts.

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

In this time of confusion, enkindle in Your people a hunger for Holy Scripture that it may illuminate their path.

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Raise up intercessors in San Joaquin and the Southern Cone to cry out for justice and mercy within this diocese.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ; he puts the deep into storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.

Let all the people of San Joaquin fear and revere You.

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Speak to their hearts that they stand fast, being of the mind of Christ.

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

Foil the institutional devices and desires that counteract the establishment of Your kingdom on earth.  Thwart all ungodly purposes. 

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

May Your kingdom come, Your will be done in the diocese of San Joaquin.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Lord, have mercy.

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.  A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

May they put their trust in You, O Lord, and not in lawyers, clergy, or ecclesiastical constructs.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

You are our Deliverer, O Lord.  Deliver Your people in San Joaquin from a false gospel and from cold love.  Pour out a spirit of forgiveness, we cry.

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Grant Your people a spirit of patience.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Send Your Holy Spirit to rest upon their wounds, like a balm, and bring healing as they turn to You in hope.  Amen.