It’s freezing cold here in central Indiana and we received about 5” of snow yesterday. In other words, we made the safe decision to stream church this morning rather than attend in person. Therefore, we were able to stream more than one service – we were fortunate to “attend” our own church service and then were able to see the service that Kristin and her church were streaming today. It was their Christmas Cantata. These services are filled with choirs, Scripture, carols and worship – combining these elements to bring the story of the nativity to life as we approach Christmas and the celebrations that accompany that most important day.
We were blessed to hear the bells, incredible organ solos and even a harpsichord in the worship this morning at the local Presbyterian church where Kristin is on staff. I have to say that it is sometimes strange to recall that we were very active in that church when we first moved to Carmel in 1982 and now, here we are, 43 years later, watching our eldest daughter as a member of the clergy at the same church where she appeared in the Christmas pageant when she was seven years old. Who would have thought!
The Presbyterian Church itself is somewhat liturgical in nature with responsive readings, congregational participation and a sense of order when it comes to ritual and tradition. And there’s nothing like a skilled organist to bring the musical elements of worship all together each week. Of course, the sermon is the centerpiece of the whole thing and the interim pastor has done a terrific job the last 18 months or so while he has been on staff.
The point of this is that today there was a point in the service when we were invited to participate in the “Bidding Prayer.” I don’t even know if I have ever encountered that wording in a church service before – but if I have ever been exposed to it, it must have been decades ago. Of course, I was intrigued by the name.
Generally, the point of a bidding prayer is to engage the congregation in intercessory prayer and to periodically respond audibly, or silently, to various petitions and concerns for those people in need of help. The prayer commences with an acknowledgment of the holiness of God and that we look forward, once again, to the celebration of the coming of Jesus and the miracles that surrounded that most holy event, including the appearance of angels.
The formal introductory remarks are followed by a series of exhortations, usually starting with “Let us pray for…” followed by different concerns for people groups in need of divine assistance. After each petition to God, the congregation responds silently or audibly (Lord, hear our prayer…) with an acknowledgment of the need and the people it prays for.
The content of these petitions covers the Church, our nation and its leaders, the sick, unemployed, marginalized, the departed and more recently, even those who are non-believers. The prayer is a serious attempt to reach all these groups and advance the kingdom of Heaven here on earth. There can even be petitions for unnamed private necessities known only to God.
Throughout the years, it has become mainstream to offer Advent Bidding Prayers around the Christmas season that usually begin with the words, “Let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger.” In conjunction with these prayers, there are usually nine Scripture readings, interspersed with songs sung by choirs, to more completely tell the nativity story.
This is the time of year when most of us receive requests for donations and assistance to bolster the coffers of non-profits who tend to the needs of many of those who are the recipients of bidding prayers. Our verse for tonight highlights the needs of the marginalized and those who need to be drawn closer to God. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, supposedly the wisest man who ever lived, tell us in Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
My encouragement this evening is that prayer works. And Jesus is quick to remind us that the children, widows, orphans and marginalized are dear to His heart. My prayer is that we will remember all those folks who need to experience the love of Jesus and be drawn closer to Him today and throughout the year, particularly during the Advent season. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…