October 10, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, members of the Seacoast 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
Based on Matthew 22:1-14 New Revised Standard Version
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet 1 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5 But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10 Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Holy One, our words oftentimes do not give an example of our faith in You. We take for granted that Jesus loves us and so that is that; our best is showing up for a worship service or giving an extra dollar at the grocery store for the fund they are collecting for. You present us with so many blessings, blessing beyond blessing, and often times we toss it aside, ungrateful, unnoticed, and ignored. Yet, You still love us. Help us Lord, to come to You dressed in our finest attitude, best character, loving nature, and filled with the gospel of Christ and all that means to us so that we may share it with others. As we call those to come and enter into the feast with us, help us to be an example of the great and wonderful things that await; renewal, revival, life, love, healing and community. As the Spirit moves throughout those gathered, help us all to welcome the counsel and guidance offered. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen By: Pastor Virginia “Ginny” Doran, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church of Wareham, MA, Seacoast District.