Psalm 141 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 141 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I call upon you, O Lord; come quickly to me; give ear to my voice when I call to you.
Verse 2Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice.
Verse 3Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Verse 4Do not turn my heart to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with those who work iniquity; do not let me eat of their delicacies.
Verse 5Let the righteous strike me; let the faithful correct me. Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head, for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds.
Verse 6When they are given over to those who shall condemn them, then they shall learn that my words were pleasant.
Verse 7Like a rock that one breaks apart and shatters on the land, so shall their bones be strewn at the mouth of Sheol.
Verse 8But my eyes are turned toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
Verse 9Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers.
Verse 10Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I alone escape.
Devotion
The words of Psalm 141 remind me of the service of Holden Evening Prayer. There is something unbelievably moving about a community coming together to pray. I first participated in Holden Evening Prayer during college. I clearly remember the dark, candle-lit chapel, the incense and the beautiful singing. The darkness of night called attention to our loneliness and brokenness. The burning candlelight reminded us, ever so gently, of Christ's presence in our midst.
Together in words, song and silence, our prayers rise up like incense as we offer our hearts, minds and our very selves to God. Together as a community, we acknowledge God as our rock, refuge and strength in the face of our fear, failures and burdens. Together we find hope, in the stillness of the silence, the glow of candlelight, the embrace of a friend and the promise of God's coming.
Prayer
O God, our refuge, we cry out to you. Bring light to our darkness. Shelter us from our enemies. Guard our hearts. We trust in you alone. Amen.