Morning Prayer: Walking on Water
The Call to Prayer
Happy are all who take refuge in God.
Psalm 2:12b
The Request for Presence
Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8
The Greeting
YHWH, our Sovereign, how majestic is your Name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:1
The Song
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Salomon Lighthelm
The Refrain
Trust in YHWH with all your heart, and don’t rely on your own understanding;
acknowledge God in everything you do, and God will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
A Reading
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’
Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’
Matthew 14:22-33
The Refrain
Trust in YHWH with all your heart, and don’t rely on your own understanding;
acknowledge God in everything you do, and God will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Psalm
d is our refuge and strength, who from of old has helped us in our distress.
Therefore we fear nothing—even if the earth should open up in front of us and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea,
even if the earth’s waters rage and foam and the mountains tumble with its heaving.
There’s a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst, it will never fall—God will help it at daybreak.
Though nations are in turmoil and empires crumble, God’s voice resounds, and it melts the earth.
YHWH Sabaoth is with us—our stronghold is the God is Israel!
Come, see what YHWH has done—God makes the earth bounteous!
God has put an end to war, from one end of the earth to the other, breaking bows, splintering spears, and setting chariots on fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted upon the earth.”
YHWH Sabaoth is with us—
Our stronghold is the God of Israel!
Psalm 46
The Refrain
Trust in YHWH with all your heart, and don’t rely on your own understanding;
acknowledge God in everything you do, and God will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Gloria
All glory to Almighty God
For love so deep, so high, so broad
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.
15th c. Latin, translated by Benjamin Webb
PCC Hymn #205 O love, how deep, how broad, how high
The Lord’s Prayer
The Prayer Appointed for the Day
Gracious God, you are capable of more than we could ever ask for or imagine. But sometimes the things happening around us seem more powerful than you and we forget to trust in you. Help us to look to you, O Jesus, when the winds strengthen, when the waters rise. Help us to walk to you on that water, without fear, and in perfect trust, knowing that you will not let us sink. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Rev. Sarina Odden Meyer
The Concluding Prayer of the Church
God be in my head and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes and in my looking;
God be in my mouth and in my speaking;
God be in my heart and in my thinking;
God be at my end and at my departing.
R. Pynson (1514)
Scripture from either the NRSV or The Inclusive Bible.