Friday August 20, 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
Ephesians 6: 10-20 (and Hymn “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” TFWS 2148)
O Lord…We often pray “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” We acknowledge that evil is among us. We confess that the evil is also within us. The evil one is everywhere, tempting us to ignore the ills around us, to stay put, to shy away from confrontation. So we pray…deliver us from evil… be our protector.
And Lord, we sing “I am weak, but thou art strong,” but because Christ died for us, forgave our sins, and conquered death, we are offered that armor – the armor of steadfast faith rooted in your love and truth. You, Lord, are our armor. You make us strong. Our faith can overcome evil.
We see that spiritual battle acted out among us in this pandemic era, in unrest boiling over into violence, in depression and isolation, and in the continued oppression and our failure with respect to those who are different from us.
Remind us to show compassion and mercy as you do.
Remind us to stand up and be strong in faith.
Let us be prepared for battle, dressed for action.
Armed with your belt of truth, let us speak that truth with love.
Let us seek and speak for our oppressed sisters and brothers.
Let us fight institutional evils that perpetuate poverty.
Open our mouths, O God, to speak out.
Put our bodies, humble and human, to work, powered by the Word that became flesh in Jesus Christ.
Let the spirit embolden our hearts, minds, and feet in a journey of peace and reconciliation and brush off the dust of those who deny us.
We fervently pray that we may boldly proclaim your wisdom, wonder, truth, and love.
“Daily walking close to thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” Amen
Claire Piddock, Readfield UMC, laity, CLM candidate, Many Waters Neighborhood Seminary
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