Third Sunday after Trinity

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THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Sunday, July 7, 2019

Readings:
Lesson: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Psalm: 9
Epistle: 1 Peter 5:5b-11
Gospel: Luke 15:1-10

ADORATION
Almighty God, I will sing praise to Your Name because You are the Most High. You are the One who is enthroned and who judges the world, the nations, and every individual in righteousness and truth. You do not forget the cry of the afflicted, the poor and needy. You do not let me prevail, and I praise You for that because if You did, I would surely sink into the pit I make. Rather You prevail, showing me who I really am, so that You can manifest Your grace, lift me up from the gates of death, and cause me to rejoice in Your salvation. You do not fail or abandon those who seek You, but rather You are a refuge in times of trouble, a stronghold in oppression, and so I put my trust in Your Name.

CONFESSION
Father, You called young Samuel when he did not yet know You through Your Word, and others rarely heard or thought of You. I confess that You call me continually, but I do not answer that call. You speak in my heart and say “Seek my face,” but I fail to listen. Like Samuel, I confuse Your voice with someone else’s and hasten there, when You have already found me where I am. And yet I admit that I need the guidance of a wise and faithful elder to teach me how to speak and listen. Then as now, Your lamp in the temple has not yet gone out. I acknowledge that I need Your help to see that light still shining in the darkness of my mind, so I can understand what You would reveal to me.

THANKSGIVING
Lord Jesus Christ, with all my heart I thank You for going after me every time I have been lost. I thank You for searching for me with the light of Your love, sweeping the house of Your creation until You found where I thought I could hide. I thank You for laying me on Your shoulders and carrying me home, even if I’ve gone kicking and screaming. I thank You not only for welcoming and accepting me as flawed as I am, but also for eating with me, offering to share the sacred meal of connection and communion. And I thank You for the gift of repentance and conversion, through which I can always return to Your love and joy, regardless of how many times I wander or fall.

SUPPLICATION
Holy Spirit, I pray to be clothed with humility so that I can resist the pride that often finds a place in my heart. I ask You to exalt me in Your time, because I know that only You can raise me up into infinite goodness and love. I call on You for the strength to be kept sober and vigilant, far from things that may cloud or numb my judgment. I resolve to cast all my cares on You because You care for me, and You desire to comfort and console me through worry, anxiety and hardship. But above all, I ask that Your grace may establish me in steadfast faith, strengthen me in renewed hope, confirm me in unconditional love, and complete me in Your peace with passes all understanding.

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