Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God will listen and help, when you pray without ceasing.

Opening Prayer:

Lord, tireless guardian of your people, always ready to hear the cries of your chosen ones, teach us to rely, day and night, on your care. Support our prayer lest we grow weary. Impel us to seek your enduring justice and your ever-present help. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
__________

“The Lord Reigns” – Lindell Cooley Lyrics Living Waters Ministries

__________

A Reading from the Old Testament: Exodus 17:8-13 (NLT)
[Israel trusts God to prevail through Moses’ persistent prayer and Joshua’s willingness to fight.]

While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle.
__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 121 (NLT)

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
__________

“Psalm 121” (Shir Lamaalot / Song of OF Ascents} – James Block

__________

A Reading from the Letters: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)
[God’s Word gives us wisdom for salvation and guidance along the way in good times and bad.]

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)
[Jesus uses a parable to show that persistent prayer works.]

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
__________

“Cry Out to Jesus” – Third Day

__________

Intercessory Prayer:

Our help is in the name of the Lord – Lord, hear our prayers:

+ That there may be peace in Syria, and that terrorism may be defeated…. Lord, hear us.
+ That missionaries who feel sad and discouraged may not give up…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians suffering under persecution may have courage…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who live with depression may have God’s help…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may pray persistently and have all their prayers answered…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who have died in Christ may experience the fullness of God’s love…. Lord, hear us.

O Lord, you are our guard and our shade, you protect your servants in their need: hear these prayers we offer, trusting you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Benediction  (May the Peace of God)” – Stuart Townend

May the peace of God our heavenly Father, And the grace of Christ the risen Son, And the fellowship of God the Spirit Keep our hearts and minds within His love.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign, From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven. We declare the name of the Lamb once slain: Christ eternal, the King of kings!

May this peace which passes understanding, And this grace which makes us what we are, And this fellowship of His communion Make us one in spirit and in heart.
__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen