Proper 14 - Prayers of the People

We read from 2 Samuel 7 - we hear David’s thoughts about what God wants from him - the idea of building a temple. At first Nathan says go ahead and do it - but then the Lord gives Nathan a word:

2 Samuel 7:5–7 NRSV

5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”

Is God’s presence a ‘place’?

Come

As much as David wants to build God a ‘house’ of cedar and of stone - God will build a house of flesh and Spirit through Jesus’ his son.

And so we hear Jesus’ call to worship - from Mark 6:31

Mark 6:31 NIV84

31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

That’s not the call to worship I was expecting.

Called to Confession

God’s Grace

2 Samuel 12:13 NRSV

13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan said to David, “Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die.

The Weight of God’s Word

Challenge, Comfort or Call

In the story of David - the prophet Nathan confronts David about his behaviour.

Finley Peter Dunne - said of journalists that their job was:

“To comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” - Finley Peter Dunne

The same can be said of a good prophet - speaking God’s Word in a way that comforts those who are troubled - but spurs the comfortable to action.

So Nathan’s story:

A traveler visited a rich man.

He was powerful and had many flocks.

But when it was time to show hospitality to the traveler the rich man didn’t give of his own but took the poor man’s sheep…

2 Samuel 12:3

2 Samuel 12:3 NRSV

3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him.

David was greatly angered.

David - growing up as a shepherd - understands what it is to care for a vulnerable lamb - But don’t mess with John Wick’s pooch:

2 Samuel 12:5–6 (NRSV)

5 Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; 6 he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

This is how the Word of God gets us - like Hebrews says:

Hebrews 4:12 NRSV

12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The prophet Nathan - bravely steps up to David…

Prayers of the People

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Why Pray?

1 Kings 19:5–8 NRSV

5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” 8 He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

God already knows what we need - God could just answer.

But maybe God wants us to have a say -

Maybe Elijahs’ running away is a running towards?

Formal Prayers

Having heard your word proclaimed to us:

We dedicate ourselves to you; strengthen us by your Spirit to do your will, and bring us with all your saints to the glory of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessèd are you, eternal God,

to be praised and glorified for ever.

Hear us as we pray for your holy catholic Church:

make us all one, that the world may believe.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you:

that the life of Christ may be revealed in us.

Strengthen all who minister in Christ's name:

give them courage to proclaim your Gospel.

Inspire and lead those who hold authority in the nations of the world:

Guide them and all people in the way of justice and peace.

Make us alive to the needs of our community:

help us to share each other's joys and burdens.

Look with kindness on our homes and families:

grant that your love may grow in our hearts.

Inspire us to have compassion on those who suffer from sickness, grief or trouble:

in your presence may they find their strength.

We remember those who have died:

Father, into your hands we commend them.

We praise you for all your saints

who have entered your eternal glory:

bring us all to share in your heavenly kingdom.

(Silence)

Heavenly Father,

you have promised to hear what we ask in the name of your Son: we pray you to accept and answer our prayers,

not as we ask in our ignorance,

nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Intentions

Ephesians 4:32–5:2 NRSV

32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

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