Praying Jonah 3:1-10

πŸ””

 

I join with all who are praying *
to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Opening Prayer

Praise Him with the tambourine of suffering and with dancing in thanksgiving. Praise Him with the stringed instruments of human redemption and with the flute of divine protection.

Let every spirit who adores God honor and praise the Lord, for He is the Lord of all. Everyone who wants life should glorify Him who is Life.

- Hildegard von Bingen

 

Observe a time of silence before the Lord
(1 – 5 minutes)

 

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Scriptural Theme

God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.

 

Sing to the Lord a song of praise
(acapella, or accompanied by instruments / recorded music)

 

πŸ””

 

Praying Jonah 3:1-10 (New International Version)

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown." *
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. 

When Jonah's warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: *
"By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

 

Response to the Scripture

Lord God, indeed you love truth in the inward parts. Look with mercy on our contrite hearts and teach us wisdom.

 

Draw near to God’s throne of grace
with the thanksgivings, prayers, & intercessions that are on your heart

 

πŸ””

 

The Spirit and the Bride say *
β€œCome!”

Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly. *
God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.

 

Praise / prayer / silence / sing a new song

(follow the leading of the Holy Spirit)

 

πŸ””

 

Ending Prayer

From every sin, *
from the crafts and assaults of the Devil,

from heresy and pernicious doctrine, *
from envy and ill-will to the brethren,

from impurity of body and soul, *
from indifference in the service of God,

and from all evil spirits, *
deliver us, good Lord.

- Litany of the Holy Spirit

 

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

( Adapted by Christ the Reconciler from Season 4: Lent Bridge Prayer – β€œThe Joy of Repentance” )