Last Night

May 9, 2016

Andy continued his sermon series of parts of a worship service last night with a focus on songs of preparation.  In 1 Kings 19:11-13, Elijah seeks God from a mountain, expecting to find God in the wind, earthquake, and fire, before finally encountering God in the sound of sheer silence. In the midst of our life’s busy distractions, we can become so caught in routines that we don’t notice the surprising ways God is showing up all around us.  Elijah recognized God not in the noise, but in the silence, because he was expectant and waiting for God to appear, even in the least likely places.  In the worship service, songs of preparation help us to expect God’s presence, especially in surprising, quiet places.

John Francis shared many songs of preparation, including “The Sound of Silence,” “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” and “When the Man Comes Around.”

Our community also offered the following prayers:

I am thankful to God for helping my depression and PTSD. I pray for help for my kids.

Please pray for my father-in-law, J***, who is in declining health at age 86. Also, my parents, D** and L****** R****, struggle with a variety of health issues themselves. Pray for relief, restoration, and peace.

For my nieces and nephews dealing with their mother’s addiction (that they may overcome its weight).

Prayers for my friends who are “figuring it out” when they perceive that many around them have it “figured out.” For my Mom, whose love I am grateful for.

I pray for my friends K*** and Ian as they travel abroad this week, and for discernment for K*** as she considers two job offers. I ask for prayer for myself as I consider new job possibilities.

Dad to get the job he wants and would be fulfilling for him. Interview in 2 weeks. Results summer-fall.

Please pray that I will hear a response soon.

I give you thanks. For the peace you’ve granted me this week. Thank you for people in my life who pray for me. Prepare me for your unexpectedness.

Excited and optimistic but also nervous and scared.

The Lord has reached down to pull me out of the depths, and I am so thankful. I pray that God will continue to guide me as I walk forward on this earth.

Thank you God. Thank you Jesus. R will be in TU medical school class of 2020! She will be a wonderful physician. Thank you for my wonderful mother. Improved health for S****’s JRA.

For the political process and prospects in this city, state, and country. For the decision to begin a new vocational journey. For the wisdom, humble spirit, and strength of heart to let go when necessary. For friends suffering from violence, fear, loneliness, and lack of resources. Lord, in your mercy, be close, let your will be known, and your love shown without question.

God, mother/father God, I’m so thankful for the beauty and wonder, and miraculousness and surprise-filled universe in which we live. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please be with me in my pain. Amen.

My sister is pregnant! Praise God! Pray for J***, who lost his mother—today is a difficult day for him.

I need to stop distracting/denying, stop wondering what others think, and attend to what’s in my heart. Thanks for R’s humility and playful spirit.

Dear Lord, Thank you for answering my prayers a year and a half ago. It was unexpected and surprising and not what I thought I wanted, but it is so much better than I could have expected. I will try to be better and looking for you in the silence. Thank you for all the blessings you have given me, today and every day. Amen.

God, we desperately need your presence. I desperately need it. Let me make space for you. And please show up when I do. Or even if I fail to make space for you. Please disrupt anyway.