Prayer: Psalm 89

O God, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next. Before the mountains were born or the earth or the world brought forth, you are God, without beginning or end.

You turn us back into dust and say: “Go back, children of the earth.” To your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday, come and gone, no more than a watch in the night.

You sweep us away like a dream, like grass which springs up in the morning. In the morning it springs up and flowers; by evening it withers and fades.

Our guilt lies open before you, our secrets in the light of your face. Our life is over like a sigh; our span is seventy years, or eighty for those who are strong. They pass swiftly and we are gone.

Make us know the shortness of life that we may gain wisdom of heart. Lord, relent! Is your anger forever? Show pity to your servants.

In the morning, fill us with your steadfast love; we shall exult and rejoice all our days. Show forth your work to your servants. Let you favor, O Lord, be upon us.
O God, you have been our refuge from one generation to the next. Before the mountains were born or the earth or the world brought forth, you are God, without beginning or end.