October 2, 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
Based on the Gospel of Mark 10:2-16
Loving and gracious God…
The Pharisees and the teachers of religious law were always testing Jesus. We, too, tend to do the same. We tend to test the laws and the mandates to satisfy our own selfishness. Forgive us.
The Pharisees and the teachers of religious law were always looking for a loop hole. A manner in which to trip Jesus up. We, too, tend to do the same. Forgive us.
The Pharisees and the teachers of religious law received what they wanted because of their hardened hearts and their self-centeredness. O merciful God, help us to focus on you and others and not ourselves.
The disciples scolded parents for bringing their children to Jesus and said they were bothering Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for turning the tables upside down once again by saying “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them.” Children need to feel secure and loved. That security and love come from their parents and family. That love and security and encouragement also comes from those who teach the children. And most importantly, it was you, Jesus, when you took the children in your arms and placed your hands upon their heads and blessed them.
Jesus, in this challenging time of the pandemic, where the children are so vulnerable, continue to hold the children in your arms and keep your hands upon them so they remain safe and healthy. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…Our Redeemer, we pray. Amen. Pastor Bob Stewart, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Manchester, NH; Granite District
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