We need a king - 1 Samuel 7:1-8:22

Father we stray from you,

And we seek other gods with all our hearts.

We seek fame, comfort, leisure, money, sport, control, happiness and esteem.

May we return to you and serve you alone

·     Run only ever towards you

·     Desire only to listen to you

·     Seek your fame

·     Suffer your death

·     Be spent in the advance of your kingdom

·     And be secure in the shadow of your wings.

We have sinned against your greatness

And so today we cry out to you for your salvation knowing that you are Ebenezer - the LORD who helps us.

What kind of a king do we need? - 1 Samuel 9:1-10:26

Father we need a king to save us from the hand of our enemies

One in whom is your Spirit

One who has you; God with him

And who works for your objectives.

We are prone to reject you even though you save us from calamities and distresses

You have appointed king Jesus, may we cherish him, love him, adore him and serve him.

He is not a tame lion - 1 Samuel 3:19-7:2

Father we treat you as a pet to be coddled and discarded.

We treat you as a lucky charm in the midst of our life battles.

We desire your presence and your deliverance but not your exclusive demand for our worship.

May we know something of your greatness.

May we bow to your sovereign rule over all the gods of our hearts.

May we not dismiss their behaviour as unlike our own

But instead reflect on our fickle hearts and our feeble love.

And like Samuel may we treasure you alone…