Psalm 116

I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2
Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3
The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, save my life!”
5
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6
The Lord protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7
Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
8
For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
9
I walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
10
I kept my faith, even when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11
I said in my consternation,
“Everyone is a liar.”
12
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his bounty to me?
13
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
15
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his faithful ones.
16
O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17
I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.
18
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Prayer:
Attentive God, you hear our prayers when we offer them with joy and when we are lost in despair.  You hear our prayers when we are confused and angered and when we are strong and at peace.  Hear us today as we offer thanks for your attentiveness and for your understanding.  Hear us today as we lift up our world in all its turmoil.  We have so many questions, concerns, hopes, and fears.  You are with us through all of life, even when life is uncomfortable, inconvenient, dangerous, and unsure.  We cling to your presence in this time.  May your gift of faith anchor us, your gift of grace temper us, and your gift of peace accompany us.  In Christ we pray, Amen.