MODULE 3Looking through… the Gifts and

Talents for the Blessed Ones

Psalm 72

A Prayer for Just and Wise Rulers

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

O God, give wisdom to those who govern us,a sense of justice to those who wield power,that they may frame laws that are life-giving,that the poor and the week may breathe freely.May they defend the cause of the needy,save the abandoned and orphans,disarm the rebellious and violent.

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

May such wisdom endure like the sun and moon,giving light from one age to the next.May justice rain down like showersthat water the new-sown fields.In our days may justice flourish,and abundance of peace till the moon be no more.

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

May wisdom reign from sea to sea,following the great rivers to the end of the earth.May folly bow down to truth,the enemies of justice lick the dust.May all the rulers of the peoples seek wisdom,the nations serve the ways of justice and truth.

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

Those who are wise deliver the needy when they call,the weak and those who have no one to speak for them.They will rescue them from oppression and violence,and their lives are precious in their sight.

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

So may there be abundance of grain in the land,to the tops of the hills may it wave.Let the mountains be laden with peace,with the prosperity that follows from justice.May the corn swell with the gentle rains,the sheaves thicken like the grass of the meadows.

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

May prayer be made for those in high office,that they may bear their burdens with wisdom.May blessings be invoked on them day by day,may they be heartened by the prayers of the people.

Response: Give wisdom to those who govern,who bear burdens on the people’s behalf.

Blessed be the God of all the earth,who alone is all wisdom and justice,who alone does great wonders.Blessed be the glorious name of God:may the universe be filled with God’s glory.Let the Amen echo with praise.

Psalm 27

Courageous Faith in Turbulent Times

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

God is my light and my salvation:whom then shall I fear?God is the strength of my life:of whom then shall I be afraid?In God alone do I put my trust:how then can others harm me?

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

When the wicked, even my enemies,come upon me to devour me,they stumble and fall back.When a mighty army is laid against me,my heart shall not be afraid.When war rises up against meyet will I put my trust in God.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

One thing have I desired of Godthat I will seek after,even that I may dwell in the house of my Godall the days of my life,to feast my eyes on the beauty of my Creator,to ponder deeply the gracious will of my God.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

In the time of my troubleyou will hide me in your shelter;in the shadow of your tentyou will conceal mefrom those who pursue mc;high on a pinnacle of rockyou will place me safefrom those who surge around me.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

Therefore I will offer in your dwelling placegifts with great gladness:I will sing and praise your name.Listen to me, O God, when I cry to you:have mercy upon me and be gracious to me.Do not hide your face from mc,nor cast your servant away in your anger.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

The voice of my heart has impelled me:Seek the face of the living God.Out of the darkness I discern your presencein the face of the Risen Christ,revealing your pain and your joyin new and abundant life.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

Indeed you have been my helper,you have not forsaken me, O God of my salvation.Though my family and friends may desert me,you will sustain me in the power of the Risen One.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

Guide me in your way and lead me on your path.So in the joy of your presence I can meet my adversaries,even when false witnesses rise up against me,or those who do me violence and wrong.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

I should have utterly fainted but that I truly believeI shall see your goodness in the land of the living.I shall patiently wait for your good time:I put my trust in our faithful CreatorI shall be strong and ¡et my heart take courage.

In time of disquiet and trouble,with courage will I trust you, O God.

In all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough Christ who loved us.For I am sure that neither death nor life,nor angels nor principalities nor powers,nor things present nor things to come,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,will be able to separate us from the love of Godin Christ Jesus our Servant-Lord and our Savior.