Re: Focus

Peter Neilson May 20, 2021 0 5

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Listen to this daily worship

Psalm 47 (NIVUK)

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
    shout to God with cries of joy.

2 For the Lord Most High is awesome,
    the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us,
    peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
    the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.

5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
    the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.

8 God reigns over the nations;
    God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
    as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
    he is greatly exalted.

“The Mexican Wave” has become a feature of large sporting events. One group rises with hands in the air, followed by the group next to it, and so on until the wave of movement has washed round the whole arena. People are caught up in the excitement and for a few moments the many become one in a great surge of communal enjoyment.

Hold that image as we think of people around our planet worshipping God – dancing to African drums, swaying to an Indian sitar, enjoying the colour of High Mass or the deep tones of the Greek Orthodox liturgy, monastic chants and charismatic exuberance, Quaker silence and Presbyterian restraint. Around the world the Mexican wave of worship sweeps across the planet as the sun rises and as the sun sets.

Some will clap their hands. Some will keep their hands firmly in their pockets! Some will shout for joy. Others will sit in peaceful stillness. But God is being worshipped across the nations today.

That is worth a wee clap, or even a shy shout of joy!

PRAYER:

(The word “pandemic” comes from the Greek meaning “all peoples”. Imagine a world where the curse of our current pandemic is cured by a “pandemic” of praise for a world put to rights!)

The disease retreats before Your healing hand, Lord

As vaccines are shared generously across all peoples.

Clap your hands, all you nations.

The planet breathes freely again with Your Life-giving Spirit, Lord

As toxins recede and pollution is diluted in land, sea and air among all peoples.

Clap your hands, all you nations.

Clean water, healthy crops, flourishing livestock celebrate You, Lord

As global wealth is shared more fairly among all peoples.

Clap your hands, all you nations.

Races of all colours find their common heritage as your children, Lord

As pride and prejudice, injustice and oppression fade from the hearts of all peoples.

Clap your hands, all you nations.

Leaders of the world learn new humility and a servant spirit, Lord

As we lay aside small-minded visions to serve the global good of all peoples.

Clap your hands, all you nations.

Shout to God with shouts of joy!