For
Sunday, November 18, 2018, 26th Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hebrews
10:11-14, 15-18, 19-25; Mark 13:1-8
[Hannah]
said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.”
[1 Samuel 1:18a]
Many will come in my name…and they will lead
many astray…When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this
must take place…This is but the beginning of the birthpangs. [Mark 13:6, 7a, 8c]
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
[1 Samuel 1:18a]
…there is no Rock like our God…for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him
actions are weighed. [1 Samuel 2:2b,
3b]
Let
us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting
to meet together...but encouraging one another... [Hebrews:10:24-25]
Hannah’s pain was
deep over many years at the inability to bear a child. Yet she continued to faithfully
pray through her tears and distress and was finally given a son by God. Perhaps
our prayers will seem to be unanswered when we don’t get what we most desire ~
the health of a loved one, or peace in the family. Yet Hannah’s words Let your servant find favor in your sight
are the words of faith for us to embrace. We cannot know the mind of God, but
we can be assured that our minds and are hearts are not hidden for the Lord
is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed. And though we
are judged, God grants us forgiveness and salvation though Christ.
The Christian life is
not intended to be a solitary journey. Even Jesus had his companions along the
way and has told us he’s in our midst whenever two or three – or more – are
gathered [Mt 18:20]. We, too, are to be companions in, with, and through
Christ, sometimes following, sometimes leading, but often together in a
supportive, encouraging, spiritually renewing community. It is through such a
community of prayer, worship, and relationship, that we stay connected and are
reminded of the faithfulness of God to those who are faithful to God.
The
path of Christ is no easy walk. He tells us to beware of those who claim to be
him as they will lead us astray. There will be hardships, rumors of wars and
wars, earthquakes and famines. It’s all too easy to be fearful with the speed of
news of disasters around the world and nearby. But such times are the beginning of birthpangs, birth of
the coming again of the glory of Christ. It is all in God’s time, beyond our
comprehension. Do not be alarmed, Jesus says and the writer of Hebrews tells us
to have the confidence to enter the
sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for
us…by our faith we are cleansed in body and in heart so Let us hold fast to the confession of our
hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Let us keep
faith in practice and in hope. Birthpangs are just the beginning of the fresh, new
life that awaits.
Leader: ~
O Lord Most High, You call us in
every time and place to encourage one another with generous hearts, true and
wise, in the full assurance of our faith, awakened to the brightness of the
everlasting life to come.
O
God our Rock and our Strength
RESPONSE: May we find favor in Your sight
~ O Lord Most High, we offer our prayers for all who lead this
World, this Country, and this Community by election, fiat, or inheritance to
know that You are a God of knowledge who weighs all actions. Inscribe their
souls with a yearning for integrity, global and local peace, and justice tempered
with mercy for all the people in their charge. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God our Rock and our Strength
May we find favor in Your sight
~
O Lord Most High, nestle the aching, the fearful, and the
desperate in Your loving embrace, and revitalize all who support their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud
for those in need… We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…
O
God our Rock and our Strength
May we find favor in Your sight
~ O Lord Most High, grant us a foretaste of the joy and
glory of Your Heavenly Kingdom
as the gates open wide to receive our beloved who now live in the newness of
Christ forevermore. We pray especially for:
O
God our Rock and our Strength
May we find favor in Your sight
~ O Lord Most High, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt
thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…
O
God our Rock and our Strength
May we find favor in Your sight
~ O Lord Most High, quicken the spirits of those called and
ordained to speak Your Words and celebrate Your Sacraments, inspiring us all to
live lives of holy and selfless intention in this earthly life. We We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O
God our Rock and our Strength
May we find favor in Your sight
The
Celebrant adds: Loving, Patient God, grant us unashamed
confidence in the Gospel to take on the mantle of servanthood in Your Name in
unwavering hope. Show us the righteous path of life, as we strive to set the
needs of others above our own, unswayed and undeterred by false prophets who
would lead us astray. We ask though Christ, our Great High Priest; the Holy
Spirit, our Counselor; and our Creator Lord,
who together are One God, now and through all Eternity. Amen.
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