Here’s a call to worship and opening
prayer based on 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Hannah’s prayer). It comes from the Mission and Discipleship
Council of the Church of Scotland, and was posted on the Starters for Sunday
website.
Call to Worship
(inspired by 1
Samuel 2: 1-10 NRSV)
There is no holy One, or no rock
like our God
who causes my heart to rejoice and
my strength to increase,
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
who judges our actions.
Who breaks the power of the mighty,
and clothes the feeble with strength,
The Lord makes rich and makes poor,
brings low and lifts up.
Raising up the poor from the dust
and the needy from the ash heap;
Giving them seats of honour and guarding
the feet of those who are faithful.
While the wicked and those who rebel
against the Lord will be shattered.
We worship and praise God - judge of
all the earth.
Our God is strong, like a rock.
We come to worship the God of justice and joy.
Our God cares for the ones the world
forgets.
We come to worship the God of justice and joy.
Our God is the one who gives life,
and who guards the future.
We come to worship the God of justice and joy.
Come, let us worship God.
Prayer of Praise and Adoration
(inspired by 1
Samuel 2: 1-10)
God of all knowledge,
Hannah’s prayer resonates not only
across the ages
but in our hearts, as, like her, we
praise you
as our rock and our redeemer.
We worship you with awe,
knowing that there is no holy One
like you.
And yet you took on our humanity
to reveal your love and your mercy
in person.
In Jesus who, taking the form of a
servant, taught us about your power.
The power dreamed of by Hannah—power
at the service of others,
raising up the powerless,
strengthening the weak,
healing the sick,
replacing despair with hope,
bringing life where there was death.
We praise and adore you, O God, for
these wonderful signs of your love.
May this time of worship and the
service of our lives
be a
worthy response to these gifts.
This we pray in Jesus’ name and for
his sake. Amen.
~ posted on the Church of Scotland’s
Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/
