Sadhu Sundar Singh
Known in his lifetime as India’s most famous convert to Christianity, Sadhu Sundar Singh (1889–1929) would not approve of that characterization. He loved Jesus and devoted his life to knowing him and following him, but he never accepted Christianity’s cultural conventions, even as he embraced its stark original teachings. A modern Saint Francis, Sundar Singh left the wealth of his home at sixteen to live as a sadhu, or wandering holy man. His beggar-like existence, his intense devotion, his mystical encounters with Jesus, and his simple yet profound parables became the stuff of legends. No one who met him – including the thousands who flocked to hear him during his visits to Europe, the Orient, and the United States – remained unaffected. 1
Sadhu on prayer: “The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God.” “Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want, it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life.” “Prayer is not asking, but union with God.” “Prayer is not a painful effect to gain from God help in the varying needs of our lives. Prayer is the desire to possess God Himself, the Source of all Life.” “The true spirit of prayer does not consist in asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is the giver of all blessing, and in living a life of fellowship with Him.” “Prayer is not a kind of begging for favours; it is rather breathing and living in God.” “A little child often runs to its mother and exclaims: ‘Mother! Mother!’ Very often the child does not want anything in particular, he only wants to be near his mother, to situ pon her lap, or to follow her about the house, for the sheer pleasure of being near her, talking to her, hearing her dear voice. Then the child is happy. His happiness does not consist in asking and receiving all kinds of things from his mother. If that were what he wanted, he would be impatient and obstinate and therefore unhappy. No, his happiness lies in feeling his mother’s love and care, and in knowing the joy of her mother-love.” “It is just the same with the true children of God; they do not trouble themselves so much about spiritual blessings. They only want to sit at the Lord’s feet, to be in living touch with Him, and when they do that they are supremely content.”?
Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/yc5u5mp9
The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth;
by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia. Psalm 33
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires, known,
and from whom no secrets are hid:
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/ycn4djk5
O Lord, open my lips.
And my mouth will declare your praise.
Make haste, O God, to deliver me;
make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Praise to you, O Christ, Alleluia!
HYMN: James J Quinn ©
Tune: Liebster Jesu https://tinyurl.com/2khkn5pc
1 Word of God, come down on earth,
living rain from heav’n descending;
touch our hearts and bring to birth
faith and hope and love unending.
Word almighty, we revere you;
Word made flesh, we long to hear you.
2 Word eternal, throned on high,
Word that brought to life creation,
Word that came from heav’n to die,
crucified for our salvation,
saving Word, the world restoring,
speak to us, your love outpouring.
3 Word that caused blind eyes to see,
speak and heal our mortal blindness;
deaf we are: our healer be;
loose our tongues to tell your kindness.
Be our Word in pity spoken,
heal the world, by sin now broken.
4 Word that speaks your Father’s love,
one with him beyond all telling,
Word that sends us from above,
God the Spirit, with us dwelling,
Word of truth, to all truth lead us;
Word of life, with one bread feed us.
PSALMS
Psalm 119: 73-104 (Anglican Chant: https://tinyurl.com/y8qj25yx)
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me *
O give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me *
because I have put my trust in thy word.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right *
and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled.
76 O let thy merciful kindness be my comfort *
according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 O let thy loving mercies come unto me, that I may live *
for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be confounded,
for they go wickedly about to destroy me *
but I will be occupied in thy commandments.
79 Let such as fear thee, and have known thy testimonies *
be turned unto me.
80 O let my heart be sound in thy statutes *
that I be not ashamed.
81 My soul hath longed for thy salvation *
and I have a good hope because of thy word.
82 Mine eyes long sore for thy word *
saying, O when wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke *
yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy servant *
when wilt thou be avenged of them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me *
which are not after thy law.
86 All thy commandments are true *
they persecute me falsely; O be thou my help.
87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth *
but I forsook not thy commandments.
88 O quicken me after thy loving-kindness *
and so shall I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
89 O Lord, thy word *
endureth for ever in heaven.
90 Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to another *
thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinance *
for all things serve thee.
92 If my delight had not been in thy law *
I should have perished in my trouble.
93 I will never forget thy commandments *
for with them thou hast quickened me.
94 I am thine, O save me *
for I have sought thy commandments.
95 The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me *
but I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I see that all things come to an end *
but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97 Lord, what love have I unto thy law *
all the day long is my study in it.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies *
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than my teachers *
for thy testimonies are my study.
100 I am wiser than the aged *
because I keep thy commandments.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way *
that I may keep thy word.
102 I have not shrunk from thy judgements *
for thou teachest me.
103 O how sweet are thy words unto my throat *
yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth.
104 Through thy commandments I get understanding *
therefore I hate all evil ways.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Psalm 119:73-104 (Karl Kohlhase:
http://oremus.org/chant/Psalm-119-73-104-KH.mp3)
Your hands made me and fashioned me;
help me understand your commandments.
May the fearful see and be glad,
because I wait for your word.
O LORD, I know your judgments are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your love become my comfort,
by your word unto your servant.
May your mercy come so I’ll live,
your law is my delight.
May the proud be ashamed of their lies;
while I meditate on your precepts.
May the fearful turn unto me,
even those who know your teachings.
May my heart become blameless in your laws,
so I will not be ashamed.
My soul longs for your salvation;
I wait upon your word.
My eyes go out for your word,
“When will you comfort me?”
Though a wineskin in the smoke,
I will not forget your laws.
How long are the days of your servant?
When will you judge those who hurt me?
For the proud have dug pits for me,
who are not in accord with your law.
All your commandments are faithful;
help me when I’m hurt by their lies!
They have almost destroyed me on earth,
but I’ll not forsake your precepts.
Revive me according to your love,
so I’ll keep the word of your mouth.
Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness is for all ages;
you set the earth firm, and it stands.
They stand to this day by your ordinances,
all things are for your servants.
If your law not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you revived me.
I am yours, please rescue me;
for I have sought your precepts.
Though the wicked looked out for my harm;
yet I discerned your teachings.
Saw the limit of all perfection;
your command is exceedingly broad.
O how I love your law!
My meditation all through the day.
Your commands make me wiser than my foes,
for they are ever mine.
I have insight beyond all my teachers,
for your teachings are my meditation.
Understanding more than the aged,
because your precepts I keep.
I’ve restrained my feet from all evil,
that I may keep your word.
I’ve not turned aside from your rulings,
for you yourself have taught me.
O how sweet are your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From your precepts I get understanding;
so I hate every false way.
PRAYER
Eternal God,
give us insight to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. CW: Additional Collects
THE WORD OF GOD
These are the names of the Israelites who came to Egypt with Jacob along with their households: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. The total number in Jacob’s family was seventy. Joseph was already in Egypt. Eventually, Joseph, his brothers, and everyone in his generation died. But the Israelites were fertile and became populous. They multiplied and grew dramatically, filling the whole land.
Now a new king came to power in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph. He said to his people, “The Israelite people are now larger in number and stronger than we are. Come on, let’s be smart and deal with them. Otherwise, they will only grow in number. And if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and then escape from the land.” As a result, the Egyptians put foremen of forced work gangs over the Israelites to harass them with hard work. They had to build storage cities named Pithom and Rameses for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they grew and spread, so much so that the Egyptians started to look at the Israelites with disgust and dread.
HYMN: Psalm 80; para. vv. 1-2 Sing Psalms ©; vv. 3-19 Bert Polman ©
Tune: Todos Los Colores https://tinyurl.com/4van6uey
1 Hear us, O Israel’s Shepherd, Joseph’s guide,
the one enthroned between the cherubim.
2 Show forth your splendor to the threatened tribes,
Manasseh, Benjamin and Ephraïm.
3 Restore us, LORD, your saving power release;
make your face shine on us and give us peace.
4 How long, O LORD, will you disdain our prayer?
5 For you have fed us with the bread of tears.
Your holy anger brings us to despair;
6 the nations mock us with their scornful jeers.
7 Restore us, LORD, your saving power release;
make your face shine on us and give us peace.
8 You brought a vine from Egypt with your hand;
9 you drove the nations out to give it room.
It took deep root and spread throughout the land;
10 the hills were covered with its shade and bloom.
11 Under its branches mighty cedars hide;
it sent out shoots to sea and riverside.
12 Why have you broken down the vineyard wall
so that its grapes are eaten off the vine?
13 Boars from the forest root around it all;
its fruit is ravaged by the hungry swine.
14 Return to us, O LORD, with power divine;
look down from heaven on your chosen vine.
15 This vine, once planted with your own right hand,
16 now burns with fire; your people cry and moan.
17 Let your hand rest on those you cause to stand;
18 then we will call on your great name alone.
19 Restore us, LORD, your saving power release;
make your face shine on us and give us peace.
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Company. He and his whole household were pious, Gentile God-worshippers. He gave generously to those in need among the Jewish people and prayed to God constantly. One day at nearly three o’clock in the afternoon, he clearly saw an angel from God in a vision. The angel came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
Startled, he stared at the angel and replied, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel said, “Your prayers and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to God. Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter. He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast.” When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants along with a pious soldier from his personal staff. He explained everything to them, then sent them to Joppa.
At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience. He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners. Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds. A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!” Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke a second time, “Never consider unclean what God has made pure.” This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven. Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision.
HYMN: Joy F Patterson ©
Tune: Old 112th https://tinyurl.com/4wv9yjub
1 To Peter, lost in earnest prayer
beneath the blazing midday sun
the Spirit spoke: “What God makes clean
you must not scorn, or think profane” –
and heeding what the Spirit said,
he followed where its speaking led.
2 To Caesarea Peter went,
obedient to the Spirit’s call,
and in a Gentile household there
he preached good news of Christ to all,
baptizing them in Jesus’ name
all those who caught the Spirit’s flame.
3 Through all his years had Peter kept,
both great and small, the Law’s demands,
yet left behind the ancient rules
to preach and live God’s new command:
“Ask not what people’s lives have been,
but welcome all believers in.”
READING: Matthew 9:27-38
As Jesus departed, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Show us mercy, Son of David.” When he came into the house, the blind men approached him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “It will happen for you just as you have believed.” Their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly warned them, “Make sure nobody knows about this.” But they went out and spread the word about him throughout that whole region.
As they were leaving, people brought to him a man who was demon-possessed and unable to speak. When Jesus had thrown out the demon, the man who couldn’t speak began to talk. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He throws out demons with the authority of the ruler of demons.”
Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”
CANTICLE Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13
(Chant by Joe Cox: https://tinyurl.com/y499lmmp)
Ant. Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created everything that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore. Ant.
THE PRAYERS BCW
Give us your peace, O God, that we may rejoice in your goodness to us and to all
your children, and be thankful for your love revealed in Jesus Christ. Especially
we thank you for
people who reveal your truth and righteousness . . .
courage to be bold disciples . . .
those who show hospitality . . .
surprises that have blessed us . . .
the unity of the church of Jesus Christ. . . .
Give us your peace, O God, that we may be confident of your care for us and all
your children, as we remember the needs of others. Especially we pray for
friends and relatives who are far away . . .
neighbors in special need . . .
those who suffer hunger and thirst . . .
those who work at night while others sleep . . .
Episcopal and Methodist churches. . . .
(Plainsong Mode 2: https://tinyurl.com/yctqq8cf)DL
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the bread of life;
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
O God,
you are the tree of life,
offering shelter to all the world.
Graft us into yourself and nurture our growth,
that we, like Sadhu, may bear your truth and love
to those in need,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. ELW, alt.
Music: https://tinyurl.com/y9efvwm5
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
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BCW Book of Common Worship, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993.
DL © Daniel Lawson; used with permission.
ELW Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
1 https://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/prayer/wisdom-of-the-sadhu
The main scripture readings are © 2011 Common English Bible.
The traditional-language psalms are from The Book of Common Prayer (1662). The modern language version of Psalm 119 is by Karl Kohlhase http://www.k4communications.com/karl/index.html
Musical links are usually either to artists’ albums posted on Spotify or to recordings made available at smallchurchmusic.com. Audio stripped from YouTube videos is footnoted accordingly above.
Compilation © 2024 Stephen T. Benner. All links worked at the time they were created, but I cannot accept responsibility for their content or any damage resulting from their use. The linked content is under the control of the respective content creators and is subject to change at any time. Any copyright texts included in this compilation are provided for non-commercial purposes related to study or worship. Please contact the respective copyright holders for permission to use the texts in other contexts.
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