October 29, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society is 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
Inspired by Psalm 34:6-10, 22 (CEV)
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 22The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Faithful God, we your people cry out to you in lament. HOW LONG? How long before this virus and its effects are over? How long must your children suffer the afflictions of racism, injustice and poverty? How long before refugees and the disenfranchised experience a home and welcome? How can we accomplish transformation when societies relationships are so fractured? Where is our hope in our current world and personal strife? And then Lord we read the words of David; words of praise, words of trust and promise, words of hope.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
O LORD, enhance all our senses that we may recognize where your angles are encamped around us. Often those angels are in the form of human beings who are working to bring relief to your children.
Open our eyes to see your angels of mercy who are risking their own lives to care for the sick and dying. Open our ears to hear the protesters who are stepping up and moving out seeking to change the systems that are continuing the virus of racism and inequality. Move us to give thanks.
Enrich our sense of touch so in this time of isolation we can feel the touch of your loving hand at work in our lives. Sing praise.
Constant God, our hope is in you. Break open our hearts and minds that we may remember to put our whole trust in you. For when we do this we can be assured that even though we are still struggling we are not alone. Share this good news.
"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing."
Heighten all our senses so that we may perceive your call to us to be your angels in a world of need. Remove the blinders from our eyes so that we will see where the needs are around us that we can meet. Unstop our ears so that we can hear the cries of the oppressed and the suffering. Motivate us to respond in trust and gratitude.
Enrich our taste buds that we may taste the tang of fall on our tongues and experience the wonders of your beautiful handiwork among your people and within creation. Let the scent of your goodness be a blessing to all your people. Share your blessings.
HOLY SPIRIT breathe your empowering breath into us that we will move beyond our fears with open hearts and minds, ready to acknowledge our need for your presence and guidance in our lives. Help us to step out of our comfort zones and be your hands, feet, hearts and voices in our desperate world. Give our eyes visions of possibilities for your world, even in such troubling times.
Triune God, let your gracious, faithful love effervesce into us and out into the entire world so that all your children may “TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD, BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO TAKES REFUGE IN HIM.” Alleluia! Amen
Submitted by Pastor Carol Stevens retired Pastor and Sacramental Minister in the Katahdin District