1 Kings 5:1-5, 8:1-13; John 2:19-21

Narrative Lectionary, Year 4, Week 8, Oct. 31
1 Kings 5:1-5, 8:1-13; John 2:19-21

Opening Prayer
O Lord our God:
We pray that your glory would fill this house of the Lord.  May your presence be as visible to us and those who have not come into this holy place, just as it was to those who gathered in the Temple in Jerusalem after Solomon dedicated it to your service.  May people come to know you because of it.  In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer of Preparation
O Lord, Son of David
Just as rest was given on every side to David’s kingdom so that there was neither adversary nor evil occurrence, may we be freed now from the adversaries and evil occurrences that may try to steal our attention from you and your message.  Give us this rest on every side so that we can learn today and grow closer to you through it.
Amen

Offering Prayer
Today, O God, we bring into your house an offering.  We pray simply that the offerings we make, and the blessings that come from them be too numerous to count.
Amen.

Intercessory Prayer
Christ Jesus, our King:
We, your body that makes up your temple, pray to you because of the wars fought against us on every side, the foes that are not yet put under our feet, and the adversaries and the evil occurrences that we cannot yet rest from.  Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, even second by second, our bodies, over the course of a lifetime, become more and more destroyed.  Yet, you will rebuild them when you take all the dead from their graves, just as the Temple that is your body was rebuilt in a three day period.  When this rebuilding is accomplished, the assembly of all the children of God will be gathered in the heavenly Tent of Meeting to worship and praise your everlasting glory that fills the room and beyond.  In the meantime, as we deal with these things, which we battle against, we ask your mercies for all who are grieving, sick, suffering, and facing trials in life.  Lift them up and let them see the presence of your glory now.  Even if it does not bring healing in this life, let it bring hope of the life to come.  We will forever be thankful and praise your name singing your praises so that people from all the nations hear of your greatness.  We pray it in your name with the prayer you have taught:  Our Father… Amen.

Benediction
Let His glory fill you to overflowing in the week to come
It will if you allow it… for God’s glory is so big it needs three persons.
May God the Father,
God the Son,
and God the Spirit
Give you rest on every side.
AMEN