April 14, 2021
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, Bishop Devadhar and members of the Extended Cabinet are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week.
You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.
Today’s prayer
“While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, “Don’t be upset, and don’t let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet — it’s really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn’t have muscle and bone like this.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. He asked, “Do you have any food here?” They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes. Then he said, “Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.” He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, “You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations —starting from here, from Jerusalem! You’re the first to hear and see it. You’re the witnesses”
— Luke 24: 36b-48, The Message
O God who is the everlasting companion of us all, We are grateful for the opportunity to follow your footsteps through the Lenten journey until Easter Sunday, We are reminded how we are enriched by your love that always wins over darkness, evil, and even death, We praise you for saving us and calling us to be your people through your Son Jesus Christ, We hope to be your instruments of love and peace for this broken world. O God, reveal yourself to us in today’s journey, Open our eyes to see your living presence accompanying us as you did with the disciples traveling to Emmaus, In your tenderness, greet us saying, “Peace be with you,” In your mercy and grace, show us the appalling marks on your hands and feet, In your love, you invite us to the table of fellowship, to break bread together with you, In your power, open our minds to understand the scripture and follow your way, With your authority, send us to all nations to witness that you are the Risen Christ, the Messiah. May we worship you, O God of all nations. May we follow you and bear witness to your name. May we serve you now and at every opportunity that is ahead of us on this day. May we be your constant companion all the days of our lives. May we bless your name now and forevermore. Through the Spirit of the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.
By Rev. Taesung Kang, Granite District Superintendent