MIDNIGHT PRAYER (Matins)

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Psalm 127

1-2 If God doesn’t build the house,
    the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city,
    the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
    and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
    giving rest to those he loves?

3-5 Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
    the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
    are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
    with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
    you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Collect

Loving Trinity,
you were strength to Marianne
in the early days at Paihia;
yours and hers was the care
which made the mission a success,
and to you we are profoundly grateful.
Amen.

Thanksgiving

Thank Him for 3 things that happened today (Good or Not!)

HASHKIVEINU

Lay us down to sleep, O LORD our God, in peace,
raise us erect, our King, to life;
and spread over us the shelter of Your peace.
Set us aright with good counsel from before Your Presence,
and save us for Your Name’s sake.
Shield us, remove from us foe, plague, sword, famine, and woe;
and remove spiritual impediment from before us
and behind us
and in the shadow of Your wings shelter us
For You are God who protects and rescues us;
the gracious and compassionate King.
Safeguard our going and coming
for life and for peace from now to eternity.
Blessed are You, O LORD,
Who protects His people forever.
Amen.