50A*
A Call to Worship
Pentecost 8A [Ordinary 18A] or [Proper 13A] 2014
Psalm 17: 1-7, 15

O Lord, we come together to worship you, even amidst the turmoil of our thoughts.
Come near to each of us, to hear our prayers and to quieten us with your presence.

Listening God, as individuals within a community, we bring to you our special needs.
Come near to each one of us, to hear our prayers for your merciful guidance and help.

God of unfailing love, within the sacred quietness of your presence we come seeking healing and
wholeness from our many fears, and to be strengthened by your blessings.
Liberating God, you have examined each of our hearts and minds, and you set us
free from all that isolates us from others - and from you. You bless us with your love. Amen.

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Psalm 17: 1-7, 15
A prayer of David.

1 O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from an honest heart.

2 Declare me innocent, for you know those who do right.
3 You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
You have scrutinized me and found nothing amiss,
for I am determined not to sin in what I say.
4 I have followed your commands, which have kept me
from going along with cruel and evil people.
5 My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.
6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.

7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.
You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies.

15 But because I have done what is right, I will see you.
When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face.

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Prayers of Lament and Trust
Pentecost 8A [Ordinary 18A] or [Proper 13A] 2014
Psalm 17: 1-7, 15

O Lord, our Gracious God, we come together to worship you, even amidst
the turmoil of our thoughts, and the heavy burden of our personal fears and
anxieties. God of unfailing love, come close to us now we pray, to hear our
prayers and to quieten our minds with your holy and calming presence. We
feel weighed down by life’s injustices; by the thoughtless actions of people—
and so we seek your help in understanding just what is happening to us.
Individually and collectively, our consciences are clear, as we have always
sought your presence to worship and praise you for your great goodness
and mercy towards all people. We always try to follow your commands and
decrees, and you know that; as you have examined us and found that we
have always been faithful to our Liberating God. We do sound like we are
bragging; but no, we simply know and understand the results of faithfully
committing ourselves to God, and thereby being blessed. Show to each of us
your unfailing love in your own special ways, to strengthen and empower us.

Listening God, as individuals within a community of faith, we bring to you
our own special needs; asking that you bend down and come near to each
one of us. We give thanks that you come near to us as a community to hear
our prayers for your merciful guidance and help. God of unfailing love, within
the sacred peace of your presence we come seeking healing and wholeness
for our wounded souls and frightened minds, to be encouraged, empowered
and strengthened by your blessings. Draw us closer now to each other and to
you, so that in community, we may know the assurance of your safe refuge.

Liberating God, you come to us as a community in response to our prayers.
You have examined each of our hearts and minds, and you have set us free
from those outside influences that try to divert us from our obedience to your
laws and decrees. You have also examined each of our individual hearts and
minds, and you have set us free from those inner struggles and conflicts that
isolate us from other people, and from you. Holy God, as a sharing community,
you have gifted us all with the wonderful confidence to believe that we are in a
right relationship with our God. Generous God, we have come to you this day
lamenting our current situation, and now we give thanks that you have heard
and answered our prayers, and will bless us with your wonderful grace and love. Amen.

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A Personal Meditation
Pentecost 8A [Ordinary 18A] or [Proper 13A] 2014
Psalm 17: 1-7, 15

Throughout my life I have been involved in a number of different organisations—
some religion-based and others secular; some concerned with local issues, and
others that supported international and ecumenical concerns. I discovered that
in each of these varying organisations there were different sets of values, their
own styles and societal cultures and even sub-cultures; their own goals, aims and
objectives, some of which were contradictory; and applied within their own language.
Some organisations welcomed new ideas and new ways of doing things, whilst
for others, there was only one way of operating with one style of leadership. After
conscientiously attempting to learn “their language” and failing miserably, I left
those organisations feeling unsatisfied, unwanted and socially very unacceptable.



When one finds a “home” within an organisation and understands their “language”,
one can even develop a “right relationship” between one’s peers, and so contribute
more appropriately and effectively; and many special outcomes can be achieved to
the benefit of all concerned. When anyone finds a “spiritual home” within a group or
congregation where the same “language” is spoken , what a blessing that is! That is
where the blessings of God have an added essence or influence on that community.



The author of Psalm 17 apparently had been in a “right relationship” with his peers,
but something went wrong, and he called on God’s help to judge his situation and
to lead him through that disaster! He listed his own virtues in a non-congratulatory,
humble way; he was aware of God’s testing of his life and motives; and he prayed
for guidance and blessing. He was fully conscious of God’s unfailing love for him, and
asked to experience that love again in the usual wonderful way! This man was able
to share all this with God, because he was in a “right relationship” with his God, and
he also knew the “language” with which to come to God asking for a blessing! He said:
“…I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen
as I pray… You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies. But
because I have done what is right, I will see you. When I awake, I will be fully satisfied..”

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Acknowledgements:
Unless stated otherwise, all Bible readings and extracts used in these weekly Prayers and
Meditations are from the ‘New Living Translation’, © 1996. Copyright. All rights reserved.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189 USA.

*Revised Indexing Scheme from 'Consultation on Church Union' (COCU).

I acknowledge and give heartfelt thanks for the theological inspiration available from the writings of Professor
Walter Brueggemann; and through the resources from the internet and “The Text this Week” (Textweek).

If the Prayers and/or Meditations are used in shared worship, please provide this acknowledgement:
© 2014 Joan Stott – ‘The Timeless Psalms’ RCL Psalms Year A. Used with permission.

jstott@netspace.net.au
www.thetimelesspsalms.net

Download/view a pdf file of this document here: pentecost8[18]a_2014.pdf

© 2014 Joan Stott - " The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A