by Rina Terry
Tonight, I've begin the trek toward the August 9th service. When a much younger woman, I used to drag race. Part of the race strategy was intimidating the other racers by revving your engine. Mine was a 327 cubic inch with a 4 barrel carburetor inside a '68 Grecian Green Chevelle Super Sport. I still miss that car.
Well, not that we want to intimidate, but revving our engines as we begin our exegetical process helps put some passion in our preparation.
This week, I have written the Psalm into the Opening Prayer rather than include a Psalter in the Order of Worship.
Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord. Please hear us as we tell you what we need. We know we are sinners and if you looked only at our sins we would be condemned, but there is forgiveness in you and we are grateful. We wait for you, Lord, our souls wait and in your word we hope. We watch for you like those who lay awake through the night, and can not wait for the morning. Our hope is in you, O Lord for with you there is steadfast love and with you the power to redeem. We lift up our praise to you, the one who redeems us! (based on Psalm 130)
(I enjoyed that so much that I used the Ephesians text as a basis for the Prayer of Confession.)
We do not want to grieve the Holy Spirit of God; yet, there are times when we do not speak the truth, when we allow our anger to make room for sin. We need your help, Lord, to keep evil from coming out of our mouths. We want what we say to be useful for building one another up. We want to speak words of grace. Help us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us. Help us imitate the love of Christ. Amen.
The Lord is merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)