To Rescue the Weak and the Needy--Aug. 13, 2018

You call for justice to the weak, the lowly, the destitute.

Sometimes we are afraid openly to do the right;

and so we act under cover of darkness--

or worse, we take no action at all.

God, grant us love for the needy,

love like the love you have shown us,

and give us courage to work for true justice.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29

Judges 12:1-7

Acts 5:12-26

John 3:1-21

Selected Verses

Ps. 82:3-4

Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
          maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
          deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 

Judges 12:2

Jephthah said to [the men of Ephraim], "My people and I were engaged in conflict with the Ammonites who oppressed us severely.  But when I called you, you did not deliver me from their hand.  …"

Acts 5:12-13

Now many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles.  And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.  None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 

John 3:1-2

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.  He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."