Jan. 5, 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
Luke 6: 27 – 31 (The Message) 27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. 31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
Holy Creator of us all,
We thank you for the many and varied ways that you come to us each day. We thank you for the example of your son, Jesus, that inspires us to grow and live more like him in our daily walk.
We acknowledge our difficulty sometimes in making choices that would reflect that example. Forgive us for when we have fallen short and help us to acknowledge and learn from our failings.
We each yearn to walk as a child of the Light so we pray that in Your grace You would help each of us to make the right choices — so that our will is aligned to Your perfect will — so that Your love flows through each of us to others.
As this new year is beginning, help each of us to reaffirm our discipleship in ways that are evident to all with whom we encounter. Help each of us to truly be followers and develop disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world. Amen.
“In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.”
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 206
Rich Hughen, New England Conference Lay Leader