Invitation — Psalm 139:14
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 82:1-5, 8
God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the "gods":
"How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
"The 'gods' know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken..."
Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.
Bible Reading — 1 Samuel 3:1-5, 10-11
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down...
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for a love of and commitment to the communities in which God has placed us
- for God to equip us to serve in uniquely Christian ways in the public arena
- for those who work in service to others
Prayer — HC 117
Calling God, whether in a dream or some dark night, in the hunger for beauty or the cry of the hungry, in our weakness or in sensing our potential — it was you calling out to us. Today we pray for those who have no clue what or who might be speaking to them; reveal yourself to them so they can answer and embrace you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessing — Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."