May 7, 2022
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
A blessing in a new way: The Lord is our shepherd. No one else Not our social media or TV, not our bank or retirement accounts Not our doctor ... or those other doctors Not our president. The Lord is our shepherd. The God of our biblical ancestors Abraham and Sarah, and Tabitha and Lydia The God of our family ancestors The God of our favorite pastor ever … and the other ones, too The God of our faithful friends The Lord is our shepherd. We shall not be in want For anything All our striving … we can lay down We can unburden ourselves. Whether we are feeling good or are fed up He makes us lie down in green pastures She leads us beside quiet waters When we are exhausted, he gives us the strength we need She restores our souls. He guides us in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake Even though we walk through sickness, aches, pain, slights, misunderstandings, cruel disease, fear, the seemingly impossible ... even death ... Even though we walk through the darkest valleys of uncertainties... We will fear no evil We won't fear. For you are with us, and we are never alone We are never separated from your love. Your rod and your staff and the love and caring that you give to us to show one another, They comfort us. You prepare a table before us. You lift us up and introduce each of us as yours ... right here and now That each of us belongs. You do this right in the presence of folks who want to bring us down and criticize us Right in front of bullies. You anoint our heads with oil and you affirm us You affirm that we are loved and belong to your love. Our cups overflow And give us the courage that we need to love others, show mercy, and to work for justice You give us everything that we need to be a generous friend and neighbor. Surely goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives And we will dwell in the house of the Lord Where there is room for everyone ... no matter who they are No matter where they are from ... no matter who they love...no matter what they look like No matter what mistakes they've made ... We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever ... And dwell in the house of the Lord, even ... in this very day. Rev. Ted Crass, President, The United Methodist Foundation of New England. Inspiration: Acts 9.36-43, Psalm 23.
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