Daily Prayer

July 11, 2021 A daily prayer from the New England Conference The clergy and laity 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 This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember, and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone. For by the life and death of Jesus, love's mighty Spirit, now as then, can make for us a world of difference as faith and hope are born again. Then let us, with the Spirit's daring, step from the past, and leave behind our disappointment, guilt and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find. Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new. Ever-present and Ever-loving God, we approach you today in a spirit of celebration and joy. We thank you for instilling within us the desire to enjoy life as well as the impulse to call upon your Holy name. We give thanks for the longer days of sunlight and for the time to rest in your spirit. We humbly ask you to be a part of this day. We place before you our lives, fragmented, busy and tired. Speak to us again today and offer us your gentle words of peace. Teach us to see through the trappings of our religious faith, and give us grateful hearts, for work to do, and for the strength with which to do it. Walk with each of us, assist us in our tasks; and keep us ever under the canopy of your care. Teach us the gift of humility. We ask not to be separated from the stresses and strains of this life, nor kept from problems and pain, but to be guarded by your grace amid all sunshine and shadows. Instill within each of us a desire to face every challenge in life with the possibility of excelling and turning adversity into victory. As we seek to fulfill our responsibilities, we pray for courage in our daily endeavors, wisdom in our decisions and love in our connection. When we call upon your name and seek your goodness and mercy, remind us of our identity. Lead us to be people of victory as we embrace the Christ. Calm our minds, and soothe our spirits. It is in the spirit of the one who showed us the great value and power in love that we offer this prayer together. Amen Rev. Dr. David V. Calhoun, Seacoast District Superintendent Hymn: "This is the Day of New Beginnings" UMH 383 Words: Brain Wren, Music: Carlton R. Young