December 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
The Magnificat: 1:46b
"My soul magnifies the Lord,1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,1:48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on, all generations will call me blessed;1:49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.1:50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.1:51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.1:52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;1:53, he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,1:55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham, and to his descendants forever.” Luke 1:46b-55
A Prayer based on the Magnificat
God, we lift our hearts to You, for we know that You are magnificent. The universe reflects your glory and causes our spirits to move with joy. God, You are manifest as Savior for all.
We sometimes feel that people may overlook us for a variety of reasons. Help us to remember that You, God, have blessed us. We are grateful that the Holy Spirit has empowered us so that our lives are not wasted. People will bless our memory because of the great things You have done with us and through us. Help us inspire others to live out Your Word and read Your sacred words all of their days. We ask You to make us faithful witnesses who show the world Your compassion as we serve others. Help us to speak of Your love for justice that flows to all who face injustice.
Enable us to offer songs that cannot be silenced, singing: God has scattered the proud and powerful consumed with their issues while neglecting the masses. Our God has elevated those in need. Our hunger for the Godly good is satisfied. Those who break the earth into fragments and consume all its bounty shall starve because they ignore its people and beauty.
When our words are said, and all musical scores are played, please God, help us remember that You will always show us mercy. Allow us to see Your eternal care for us manifest just as it manifested for our ancestors in faith. Amen.
Rev. Dr. Imani-Sheila Newsome-Camara, Pastor-Teacher, Greenwood Memorial United Methodist Church, Dorchester, MA. Regional Hub Elder, Commonwealth East District