August 7, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, members of the Commonwealth East District of the New England Conference 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
O Lord our God, how great Thou art!
O Lord our God, we confess that we need Thee, how we need Thee, as as we navigate the uncertain waters ahead.
O Lord our God, we are battered by waves of pandemic virus, and buffeted by winds and whirlwinds of social injustice, rocking the boat that is our local church. Help us to gratefully choose to see the rocking of this boat as an opportunity for the Holy Spirit already alive in our church family to nurture and grow our faith... even in times when our faith may feel as small as a mustard seed!
O Lord our God, we pray asking for strength, courage, and wisdom... We pray for strength... remembering and thanking You that we're not in this boat alone... we're in this boat together, each of us with unique gifts from the Holy Spirit to offer, provided to us together as a church family for just such a time as this.
We pray for courage... remembering and thanking You that when we are afraid and even when we have doubts, Jesus can and literally will walk on water to be with us, and indeed even bid us to come, step out of the boat, and join him out on the sea, our eyes firmly affixed on his.
We pray especially for wisdom... remembering and thanking You that You are all-knowing, can see the big picture, and both can and will help us navigate the uncertain waters ahead if we ask for, listen for, and keep our hearts and minds open for wisdom, and trust You for courage and strength, O Lord our God.
All this we ask in Jesus' precious name, Amen. By Bob Hout, Co-Lay Leader of Commonwealth East District, Member of Weston UMC (Weston, MA) Inspired by Matthew 14:22-33