Daily Prayer

Dec. 1, 2021

A daily prayer from the New England Conference

Members of the New England Conference 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 3: 1-6 Philippians 1: 3-11

O holy one, we pause to express our appreciation for another day of life, and to give thanks for the privilege of participation. We recognize that with these gifts you also have given us important responsibilities. We thank you for the greatest gift of all — the gift of love for one another. As we come to you during this season of hope, may the Spirit of Jesus he born in us again. May we be filled with a sense of your presence and be reminded of our identity as a people of faith.

We long to feel a closeness to you, and with these thoughts in mind, we remind ourselves that we come to you for spiritual nourishment. We humbly ask for the spiritual gifts that we need for today and for all of our tomorrows. When we are weary and feeling isolated, and when our spirits are dry; sharpen our awareness and teach us to pray. May your love overflow in us and help us to determine what is best.

Instill the hope of John the Baptist in our lives. Grant us mercy, grant us wisdom, grant us grace. Touch us with a fuller sensitivity that it is in you, that we live and move and have our very being. Strengthen and nurture us so that we will increasingly become better participants in this experience that we call life. Give us a consistent kindness and compassion for others. May we make the conscious choice to live with hope in our hearts.

As our spiritual needs are partially met through the communication of our spirits with you today, may the spiritual needs of the world be more fully met through the communion of our common life. We thank you for every word of truth which has come to us through the life and ministry of Jesus. We trust that this spiritual inspiration can make us more nearly what we can and ought to be. Restore our faith, renew our visions, and lead us to a better world. Be our God and be our Guide.

We express this prayer in the same Spirit which we believe characterized the life of Jesus. We pray in your name. Amen

Prayer written by Rev. Dr. David V. Calhoun, Seacoast District Superintendent