Scripture: Psalm 53.1-3, 6
The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.
God looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one…
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

From John:
After a week of lament last week, today we take up a prayer of praise, confession, and wonder.

Today’s readings are still of violent men (A response to Doeg the Edomite in Psalm 52) and of false prophets and hypocrisy (Ezekiel 13). We are still living in the midst of our faithless culture that denies God (Psalm 53.1-2) But we have reasons to move through lament to praise, as David does in Psalm 53.

Our salvation has come. Not because we deserve it, but because God is merciful. Let us be glad.

Reflection: In Praise of God’s Mercy :: Worldwide Prayer
A Prayer of Confession and Wonder
From the USA

Oh, God in Heaven!

How can you love me? Of the thousand times I’ve tried to empty myself and be the child you created me to be, only rarely have I succeeded. Only rarely am I truly obedient. Only sometimes do I, through love for you, do the needed thing.

I am no David, no Deborah, not even a Rachel. Yet You love me. I feel your pull with every movement in a leaf of one of your trees. Oh, Creator Love! You who teach all the melodies the dolphins of the sea sing to each other, how can it be that you condescend to love me, to save me, to lift me, to envelop me, to calm my fearful heart?

When I think of your great mercy, oh Christ, my heart wants to burst; it is too great for me, too great to comprehend. I could dissolve in tears of joy for knowing it. Oh, grand, great, infinite God! To kneel before you would be too presumptuous. Let me fall face down before you. That you love me? I cannot hold the thought. Yet hold me, dear God in your embrace, until I do know it.

*Prayer from Hallowed be Your Name: A collection of prayers from around the world, Dr. Tony Cupit, Editor.

Prayer: A Reading
Jesus said: “It is for judgment that I have come into this world, so that those without sight may see and those with sight may become blind.” Hearing this, some Pharisees who were present said to him, “So we are blind, are we?” Jesus replied: “If you were blind, you would not be guilty, but since you say, ‘We can see,’ your guilt remains.” — John 9.39-41

– Prayer from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Prayers from The Divine Hours available online and in print.

Today’s Readings
Ezekiel 13 (Listen – 4:14)
Psalm 52-54 (Listen – 2:26)

Additional Reading
Read More about Treatment of Mercy
May we embrace and treat with mercy and understanding those who struggle with mental illness.

Today is World Suicide Prevention day. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
May we join together to normalize seeking treatment of mental health issues and pray for those suffering.

Read More about Saved by Mercy
No, Frodo ‘failed.’…one must face the fact: the power of Evil in the world is not finally resistible by incarnate creatures, however ‘good’.

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