Preparation

Opening response

Favor us, Lord, and deliver us.
Lord, come quickly and help us.

Make your servant’s life happy again
because, my Lord, I offer my life to you.

Psalm 86:4

Praise

Blessed are you,
Lord God of our ancestors.
You are worthy of praise and raised high above all others forever.
Blessed is your glorious
and holy reputation,
worthy of praise and raised high above all others forever.
Blessed are you in your glorious,
holy temple,
worthy of hymns and honored
above all others forever.
Blessed are you,
sitting on the winged creatures,
looking down into the farthest depths,
worthy of praise and raised high above all others forever.
Blessed are you on your royal throne,
worthy of hymns and raised high
above all others forever.
Blessed are you in the dome of the sky,
worthy of hymns
and honored forever.

Hymn of the Three Young Men (Prayer of Azariah 29-33 CEB)

The Word of God

Psalm 46

Refrain:
The Lord of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety.

God is our refuge and strength,
a help always near in times of great trouble.
That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
when its waters roar and rage,
when the mountains shake because of its surging waves.
There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city,
the holiest dwelling of the Most High.
God is in that city. It will never crumble.
God will help it when morning dawns.
Nations roar; kingdoms crumble.
God utters his voice; the earth melts.
The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety.
Come, see the Lord’s deeds,
what devastation he has imposed on the earth—
bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world,
breaking the bow and shattering the spear,
burning chariots with fire.
“That’s enough! Now know that I am God!
I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!”
The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain:
The Lord of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety.

Psalm prayer

God of Jacob,
when the earth shakes
and the nations are in uproar,
speak, and let the storm be still;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Scripture reading
Joel 2:28-29

I will pour out my spirit upon everyone;
your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
In those days, I will also pour out my
spirit on the male and female slaves.

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people who grieve,
because they will be made glad.

Matthew 5:4

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns:

God’s royal priesthood, that it may be empowered by the Spirit
Those who wait on God, that they may find renewal
All people, that they may acknowledge the kingdom
of the ascended Christ
The earth, for productivity and for fruitful harvests
All who are struggling with broken relationships

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

O King enthroned on high,
Comforter and Spirit of truth,
you that are in all places and fill all things,
the treasury of blessings and the giver of life,
come and dwell with us,
cleanse us from every stain
and save our souls, O gracious one.
Amen.

An Orthodox prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.

Conclusion

May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts and minds.
Alleluia. Amen.