September 17, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
During these difficult days, members of the Granite 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
Paul wrote words of encouragement in his letter to the Philippians 1:27 that are as alive today as the day he put them to paper.
“Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel”.
Dear Lord, we pray that people all over the world will be empowered to live a life of sacrificial love as Jesus taught us through his ministry, his actions, and his journey to the cross. We want to be “Followers of Jesus” transforming the word “love” into a powerful word of faith and action.
We pray for the first responders, nurses, and doctors, and those who continue to put others first, as they attempt to heal and comfort those who are sick.
We pray and give thanks to the people who continue to work in grocery stores and places of business, whose lives are put at risk every day as they leave the safety of their homes to go to work.
We pray for the scientists and technicians who work tirelessly for a cure to a virus that can be carried by some people unaware of its presence on their bodies while others react swiftly to it and succumb to its life threatening symptoms.
We pray that by living a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus, we demonstrate our love for each other and God by performing simple acts of love by wearing our masks, practicing social distancing, and washing our hands.
We pray that people come to understand that when they act selfishly and defy the guidelines needed to keep “all” of us safe, that they distance themselves from God, for we are all called to love our neighbors as ourselves.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35
We pray. We hope. We care for. We support. We encourage. We comfort. We give. We believe. We love. Amen.
Prayer by Hugh Dykens, Certified Lay Speaker and Worship Leader, North Charlestown UMC & Newport: Church of the Good Shepherd; Granite District
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