Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

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TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Sunday, September 8, 2019

Readings:
Lesson: 1 Kings 10:1-13
Psalm: 77
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

ADORATION
Almighty and gracious God, I praise You because You listen to me whenever I cry out to You. In times of trouble, I look for You in prayer. When my heart is heavy with fear and doubt, I meditate on You and remember the days of old. I understand now that Your hand throughout history is the answer to my prayers today. You are never absent, Your mercy is not gone forever, and Your promises never come to an end. You have not forgotten to be gracious, nor have You withdrawn Your loving-kindness. You are the God who works wonders. You made a way through the waters and redeemed Your people. So do You make a way through my tears and sorrow and deliver me. And Your way is holy.

CONFESSION
Father, the Queen of Sheba showered King Solomon with compliments on his wisdom and riches for his throne, and in turn he gave her everything she wanted. I confess that all too often I want others to acclaim me for the wisdom You have given me, and to use Your teachings for personal aggrandizement. I acknowledge that this creates a cycle of dependence, in which I give supporters whatever they want in order to retain their admiration, seek new truths in Your Word just to showcase my knowledge, and fall into doubt and despair when I have none of these. Your work is to be done for its own sake, and not for self-exaltation or worldly reward. You Yourself lift me up and are my prize.

THANKSGIVING
Holy Spirit, I thank You for the trust and confidence You give me through Christ towards God, and for making me sufficient by Your grace. I thank You that the New Covenant is not of the letter, but of You, the Spirit. You are found less in the details which kill growth, and more in the big picture which gives life, for You are Life. You are present less in rules and regulations that I can never fully keep, and more in the good news of freedom in You. You write less on tablets of stone, and more on tablets of human hearts. Your way is less about condemnation and more about transformation; less about judgement and more about mercy; less about punishment and more about redemption.

SUPPLICATION
Lord Jesus Christ, You touched and healed a deaf and speech-impaired man, opening his ears and loosening his tongue. I pray that my writing may open others’ ears to hear about Your love, and may loosen their tongues to talk about Your change in their lives—even as You have opened my ears to hear Your Word, and my mouth to declare Your praise. If it is Your will, I pray that I may speak more boldly about how You transform my life, and how I believe that You are the answer this broken world needs. I pray that You may touch the lives of those who are thought untouchable. May all recognize that no one is beyond the reach of Your healing and compassionate touch.

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