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Lifting the Cup of Salvation

What shall I return to the Lord
 for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
 and call on the name of the Lord.
PS 116: 12-13


Lifting the Cup of Salvation during Holy Communion is, for me, a way of giving thanks to the Lord. It is a sign to me of the Lord's saving activity both in the Exodus story and the cross-resurrection story. 
 
When I hear the "Great Thanksgiving" in holy communion, I am reminded of the Lord's saving activity, not just for me, but for all humanity. 

Read the story of the psalmist's story of salvation which gives the reason for lifting the Cup of Salvation.

In  my 30 years of pastoring, I have had many people ask for prayers for friends, family, or neighbors during the Joys and Concerns in worship. I don't recall anyone saying, “Let me tell you all how my prayers were answered."

Prayer Changes Things. Don't give up on  prayer. It seems to me the poet is telling folks to not give up on prayer. Or as Paul says, "pray with out ceasing." 

Prayer Changes Things. Don't give up on  prayer, even though we all know of times when we’ve prayed alone or with others at a sickbed, and the one for whom we are praying is not healed. We know of situations or conditions we would like the Lord to change such as hunger, homelessness, or disasters, yet everything seems unchanged.

Prayer Changes Things. Don't give up on prayer. The Lord is reminding us that finally prayer is a mystery and we need to live with the of reality seemingly unanswered prayers.

When I see the Cup of Salvation lifted and the Great Thanksgiving spoken, it is not only a sign of unceasing prayer, but also of answered prayers beyond my awareness. 

The lifted cup is assurance that prayer changes things.

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