Job 1.1, 2.1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1.1-4, 2.5-12; Mark 10.2-16

Today’s lectionary is an example of why it is a good idea to read it well in advance and then forget about it, hoping your subconscious will work out what the theme is. When I read this last Sunday, I could see no link. Today I can see such a link, though it is in some places a gossamer thread rather than a metal chain!

 Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief. ^{Mark 9:24}

The collect is one of my favourites:

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that,
forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy...

The passage from Job is all about the torments inflicted on him by Satan, which failed to make him curse God [and lose his faith]. The psalm is on the theme ‘I have trusted in the Lord and not faltered’ (v.1). The epistle is more complicated, and introduces the note of glory also in the psalm, but  contains the summary of our faith:

For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father (v.11)

And the gospel includes: whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. (v.16)

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Lord, you lead us by ways we do not know, through joy and sorrow, victory and defeat, beyond our understanding. Give us faith to see your guiding hand in all things, that being neither lifted too high by apparent success, nor cast down too low by apparent failure, we may press forward to wherever you lead.*

Lord we believe, but help our unbelief: in your mercy, hear our prayer

 ¶The Church of Christ

Lord, help your Church  build bridges from the Kingdom of God into the world of human life, with its sin and celebration, its weakness and strength. Teach us to   look outwards, away from those things that divide us, so that whether or not we are of like mind, we may love each other while  living in common service to Christ.**

Lord we believe, but help our unbelief: in your mercy, hear our prayer

 ¶Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

Lord, in these times of economic difficulty, and worry about the very structure of our world, teach us to have faith that with your help all will not be lost. Teach us also to remember that all our lives depend upon the work of many minds and many hands. We pray that we may live thankfully and in unity as members of one human family. Give us wisdom and generosity of spirit to use the skills of science and the resources of technology for the needs of the poor and forgotten, and for the enriching and healing of us all.

Lord we believe, but help our unbelief: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶The local community

Lord, in our dealings with each other, teach us to listen, and teach us to forgive. Teach us to understand, and teach us to love. Above all, give us the courage to start again.

Lord, guide us to be more sensitive to the needs of our neighbours. We pray that the old may have faith that they are wanted. We pray that the young may have faith that someone will listen to them. And we pray for all people that they may have faith that they are of value, of course to you, but also to those that live around them.

Lord we believe, but help our unbelief: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶Those who suffer

Lord of love, give strength to all from broken homes. We pray for any where there is little love or understanding, for all families that are needing help and attention. We pray for all who are separated from those whom they love through sickness, for all who are lonely and live alone.

Lord we believe, but help our unbelief: in your mercy, hear our prayer

¶The communion of saints

Lord, give our spirits power to climb to the fountain of all light, and be purified. Break through the mists of earth, the weight of clay and shine forth, you who are calm weather, and quiet resting place for faithful souls. You carry us and you go before; You are the journey and the journey’s end. ***

Lord we believe, but help our unbelief: in your mercy, hear our prayer

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*Eric Milner-White and G W Briggs

**The prayer for the Church is drawn from a piece dated 9 July 2012 by the Rt Revd Justin Welby in Centeraisle.

*** This is a prayer of Boethius, c.480-524

The illustration is a hand-drawn Celtic cross by Pete Brazier, downloaded from 12 Baskets under CCL.