Jan. 24, 2021
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and the 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
Jesus,
Like Andrew and his brother, and James and his sibling, you invite me to follow and in so doing, you will make us “fishers.” Fishers of people.
Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of fish-people. Have you seen them? Have you smelled them? Fishy people, Jesus. Doesn’t sound like a good idea to me.
And truth be told, I’m pretty happy with the nets I’m using. I like what shows up in my nets right now. I know what to expect. I can count on what is going to be in those nets. I’m comfortable with the net-intake.
Not to mention: they are good nets. Why would I leave good nets? Perfectly good nets! Your mother would tell you, “Don’t waste good nets, Jesus!” (Well, at least my mother would.)
Following you means leaving my nets? Following you means maybe no nets at all? Are you crazy Jesus?
But maybe you’re up to something, something I didn’t catch at first (get it, Jesus?) Maybe what you are inviting us to do is not catch people AT something, but fish people OUT of something.
Out of despair. Out of hunger. Out of thirst. Out of loneliness. Out of darkness.
I’d like to be caught like that.
I guess that I’d like to be part
of something like that.
But also I know this: I’ve never fished like that before.
So Jesus, if you’ll be my teacher, I’ll be your follower. I’ll leave my nets and my need for comfort and security and control … I will follow you. Help me be your follower. Amen.
Inspired by Mark 1:14 - 20, written by Rev. Rick McKinley, Dir. of Congregational Development