Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

We can ask God for help whenever we need to, today or any day. God is always concerned for us.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, with the prayer your Son taught us always on our lips, we ask, we seek, we knock at your door. In our every need, grant us the first and best of all your gifts, the Spirit who makes us your children. We ask 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.
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“This Kingdom” -Hillsong | Darlene Zschech

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Genesis 18:20-32 (NLT)
[God shows his justice as he heeds Abraham’s plea on behalf of the righteous minority.]

So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”

The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sake? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”

Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”

And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”

Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”

And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”

“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”

And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”

Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”

And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”

Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”

And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8 (NLT)

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
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Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
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“Psalm 138” – The Psalm Project

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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 2:12-14 (NLT)
[The Colossians were concerned about Jewish laws. Paul insists that Jesus has over-ridden all the old requirements.]

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 11:1-13 (NLT)
[If we pray persistently for God’s help, it will be given.]

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

“Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
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“Come To Me” – Jenn Johnson // Bethel Music

I am the Lord your God, I go before you now. I stand beside you. I’m all around you. And though you feel I’m far away, I’m closer than your breath. I am with you. More than you know.

I am the Lord your peace, No evil will conquer you. Steady now your heart and mind, Come into my rest. And oh, let your faith arise, And lift up your weary head. I am with you, Wherever you go.

Come to me, I’m all you need. Come to me, I’m everything. Come to me, I’m all you need. Come to me, I’m your everything

I am your anchor, in the wind and the waves. And I am your steadfast, so don’t be afraid. Though your heart and flesh may fail you, I’m your faithful strength. And I am with you, Wherever you go.

Don’t look to the right or to the left, keep your eyes on me. You will not be shaken, you will not be moved.

I am the hand to hold, I am the truth, I am the way. Just come to me, come to me, Cause I’m all that you need.
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Intercessory Prayer:

Merciful God: you always listen to and answer our prayers. Hear us now as we approach your throne of grace –

+ That the young people from around the world may come to you in Krakow this week…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians everywhere may realize that you are our only hope and rely on your help…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may abound in generosity and share what we have with the the hungry and dispossessed…. Lord, hear us.
+ That Christians may recognize the image of God in everyone, especially in indigenous peoples around the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who are on our hearts and minds today may feel the presence of your Spirit…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all the members of our families may experience your blessing and peace…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have gone before us in faith may share in Christ’s power and be raised up to eternal life…. Lord, hear us.

God of glory and majesty, you answer the prayers of those who call out to you: be with your people in their every need, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Our Father” – Jenn Johnson // Have It All

Our Father in Heaven | Hallowed be Your name | Your Kingdom come quickly | Your will be done the same
On Earth as it is in Heaven | Let Heaven come to | Earth as it is in Heaven | Let Heaven come

Let Heaven come, let Heaven come

Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the power | Yours is the glory forever, amen | Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the power | Yours is the glory forever amen

Benediction:

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – Revelation 1:5b-6

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