Opening sentence
I will open my mouth in a parable
and reveal hidden lessons of the past.
The things we have heard and understood,
the things our ancestors have told us,
these we will not hide from their children.
Call to praise
Lord, open our lips
and our mouths will proclaim your praise.
You are good to those who wait for you,
to all who seek you.
Glory …
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm 145.15-21
The eyes of all creatures look to you
and you give them their food in due season.
You open wide your hand,
grant the desires of all who live.
You are just in all your ways
and loving in all your deeds.
You are close to all who call you,
who call on you from their hearts.
You grant the desires of those who fear you,
you hear their cry and you save them.
Lord, you protect all who love you;
but the wicked you will utterly destroy.
Let me speak your praise, O Lord,
let all peoples bless your holy name
for ever, for ages unending.
Thanksgiving
My heart is ready, O God;
I will sing your praise.
Your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory shine over all the earth.
Amen.
Luke 18.1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Video and break out room discussion
What stands out in this passage?
What does this it say about God?
What does it say about us?
How can we pray for each other?
Our Father who art in heaven
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever. Amen.
Benediction
May the Lord bless us and keep us.
May the face of God shine on us
and be gracious to us.
May God’s presence embrace us
and give us peace.
Amen.