At Mt. Carmel we open worship by praying the Psalms back to God. This one is from Psalm 119:145-152.
Most holy and gracious God, eternal Father, unchanging from everlasting to everlasting. We praise You for Your word, firmer than the mountains.
I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD. I will obey your statutes. I call to you; save me, and I will keep your decrees.
Lord, we call on You this morning with all our heart, because You are the God who cannot change. Answer us. Save us. Not so that we may sin safely, but so that we may be freed from sin and keep Your decrees.
I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in your word. I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on your promise.
O God, make Your word our food and drink. Wake us before dawn to plead Your unchanging promises, and fix our meditation all night long on a book we can never exhaust.
In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice. LORD, give me life in keeping with your justice. Those who pursue evil plans come near; they are far from your instruction. You are near, LORD, and all your commands are true. Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever.
Lord, hear our voice this morning according to Your love and not our merit, and give us life in keeping with Your righteousness. Your enemies draw near, far from Your instruction. Be nearer to them still, for all Your commands are true. Teach our children these old truths early. You established Your decrees forever, founded on Jesus Christ before the world began. In the name of our sure foundation, Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we pray. Amen.