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Daily Prayer for January 15, 2021

1/15/2021

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“Born of the Spirit, we are God’s children,  joyfully now God’s praises we sing.”    
                                                    —Michael A. Saward, 1981
Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                 Galatians 3:27
As many of you as were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourself with Christ.

Prayer                                               Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
O Lord, uphold your children by your Holy Spirit.
Give them your gifts of grace:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,
the spirit of joy in your presence,
both now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
This Train, sung by Sister Rosetta Tharpe.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                                   Acts 19:1-7   
1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— 7 altogether there were about twelve of them.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's family upon the death of her brother-in-law John Krueger, after a long battle with the Covid virus.  Please pray for “non-essential” workers— those most likely to still be out of work.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
May the God of hope
fill you with all peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for January 14, 2021

1/14/2021

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“One with his rising, freed and forgiven, thankfully now God’s praises we sing.”    
                                                    —Michael A. Saward, 1981

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                      Psalm 96:1
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Prayer                                           St. Ephraim’s Prayer at Midnight (c. 305-373)
O Lord and Master of my life,
give me not a spirit of sloth,
vain curiosity, lust for power and idle talk.

But give to me, your servant,
a spirit of soberness,
humility, patience and love.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own faults,
and not to condemn my brother;
for blessed are you to the age of ages.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
Family of Love, by Take 6.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                          Matthew 3: 13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's family upon the death of her brother-in-law John Krueger, after a long battle with the Covid virus.  Please pray for our nation, as we struggle with fear, division, violence, and sickness.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
May the God of hope
fill you with all peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for Wednesday, January 13, 2021

1/13/2021

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​“Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, dead in the tomb with Christ, our King…”        
                                                                     —Michael A. Saward, 1981

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                      Isaiah 43:1
Do not fear, for the Lord has spoken:
I have called you by name; you are mine.

Prayer                                               Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Holy God,
you sent your Son to be baptized among sinners,
to seek and save the lost.
May we, who have been baptized in his name,
never turn away from the world,
but reach out in love to rescue the wayward;
by the mercy of Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
People Get Ready, written by Curtis Mayfield, performed by Eva Cassidy.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                                 Isaiah 43:1- 7
1 But now thus says the Lord,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my sight,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you;
6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
    and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
    and my daughters from the end of the earth--
7 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's family upon the death of her brother-in-law John Krueger, after a long battle with the Covid virus.  Please pray for nurses and aides who are treating Covid patients in hospitals, including Becky's cousin Marcy Szeliga.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.


Benediction
May the God of hope
fill you with all peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for Tuesday, January 12, 2021

1/12/2021

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​“Heirs of salvation, trusting the promise, faithfully now God’s praises we sing.”     
                                                   —Michael A. Saward, 1981

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                Mark 1:10-11
The heavens opened, the Spirit descended,
and a voice sounded:  This is my Beloved Son.

Prayer                                                                           St. Hildegarde, 12th C.
Fire of the Spirit,
life of the lives of creatures,
spiral of sanctity,
bond of all natures,
glow of charity,
lights of clarity,
taste of sweetness to sinners,
be with us and hear us…

Composer of all things,
light of all the risen,
key of salvation,
release from the dark prison,
hope of all unions,
scope of all chastities,
joy in the glory,
strong honor,
be with us and hear us.

Hymn of the Day                            
Holy, Holy, Holy, by Sufjan Stevens.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                                Acts 10:34-43  
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's family upon the death of her brother-in-law John Krueger, after a long battle with the Covid virus.  Please pray for people in the air travel industry who remain furloughed, and for the pilots and flight attendants who work in such a risky environment.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
May the God of hope
fill you with all peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for Monday, January 11, 2021

1/11/2021

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“Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ, our King…”
                                                —Michael A. Saward, 1981

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                  Psalm 29:3, 9
The voice of the Lord is over the waters,
and in the temple God’s people say: Glory!

Prayer                                                                      Baptism, Eastern Orthodox
Blessed is God, who desires that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
Blessed is God, who gives light and sanctification to every man that comes into the world.
Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered:  blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no sin, and in whose mouth there is no deceit.  
O Christ our God, rich in mercy, who clothest thyself with light as with a garment, grant unto me a robe that is radiant with light.  Amen.  

Hymn of the Day    
Song Without Words, Op. 30, No. 1, by Mendellsohn; performed by the Streeton Trio.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                                        Psalm 29  
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
    worship the Lord in holy splendor.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
    and strips the forest bare;
    and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's family upon the death of her brother-in-law John Krueger, after a long battle with the Covid virus.  Please pray for those officials charged with organizing vaccine distribution, that they would work with wisdom and efficiency.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction 
May the God of hope
fill you with all peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  
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Daily Prayer for Friday, January 8, 2021

1/8/2021

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​“Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!”        
                              —Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885
Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                          Jeremiah 31:8, 13
The Lord will gather the people from exile;
God will turn their sorrow into joy.

Prayer                                                                         Geneviève Graves, 1981*
Lord,
You who love this person whom I do not love,
you who read the hearts of others whom I do not understand,
you who know the inmost suffering of those whom I ignore,
you who discern the efforts of each one in attitudes which I perceive as deceitful:
    open my eyes and my heart.
You also know me far better than I know myself;
    you love me better than I love myself…
Lord! Teach me to love with your love.

Hymn of the Day                            
I don’t believe I’ve ever repeated a “hymn of the day” before, but this one is good.  Woke Up this Morning, by  First Presbyterian Church Choir, Brooklyn.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                        Jeremiah 31:31-34  
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband,[g] says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John Krueger, and his family.  John has been in the hospital for six weeks, has suffered organ damage, and is currently intubated.  In addition, his wife and daughter have also recently tested positive for the virus and are unable to visit at all.  Please pray for peace in parts of the world where, in the midst of the pandemic, there is war, including Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Mexico.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
Proclaim the good news,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.


*Geneviève Graves, In Chapal and Pellegrin, La tradition calvinienne, 81; Editions CLD.  1981.  Used by permission in A Book of Reformed Prayers, Louisville, KY, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1998.
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Daily Prayer for Thursday, January 7, 2021

1/7/2021

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​“When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze…”        
                              —Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                  Matthew 2:11
Come and adore the Savior of the nations.
We offer the gifts of our lives to the Lord.

Prayer                                                                        Mozarbic Breviary, c. 1502
The heavens are shining with the clear beauty of the stars, O Lord,
and the very earth is made beautiful by a shining light,
because you appeared to the world
from your holy dwelling place.
Remove from our hearts all sadness,
for you came for this,
to make all things new.
Enlighten our eyes to purify us
that we may behold you forever,
that we who preach to the nations the glad joys of your appearing
may be made glad with you in infinite joy. Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
Amazing Grace, by Rosemary Siemens.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                        Jeremiah 31:15-20  
15 Thus says the Lord:
A voice is heard in Ramah,
    lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
    she refuses to be comforted for her children,
    because they are no more.
16 Thus says the Lord:
Keep your voice from weeping,
    and your eyes from tears;
for there is a reward for your work,
says the Lord:
    they shall come back from the land of the enemy;
17 there is hope for your future,
says the Lord:
    your children shall come back to their own country.
18 Indeed I heard Ephraim pleading:
“You disciplined me, and I took the discipline;
    I was like a calf untrained.
Bring me back, let me come back,
    for you are the Lord my God.
19 For after I had turned away I repented;
    and after I was discovered, I struck my thigh;
I was ashamed, and I was dismayed
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.”
20 Is Ephraim my dear son?
    Is he the child I delight in?
As often as I speak against him,
    I still remember him.
Therefore I am deeply moved for him;
    I will surely have mercy on him,
says the Lord.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John Krueger, and his family.  John has been in the hospital for six weeks, has suffered organ damage, and is currently intubated.  In addition, his wife and daughter have also recently tested positive for the virus and are unable to visit at all.  Pray today for folks in areas like California where hospital space is unavailable; pray that our high hospitalization rates in Houston would decrease as well.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
Proclaim the good news,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for Wednesday, January 6, 2021- Epiphany of the Lord

1/6/2021

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“When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees…”        
                                                                         —Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                              Ephesians 3:7-8
Tell the good news throughout the earth;
the saving grace of Jesus Christ is for all.

Litany for Epiphany of the Lord      Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Arise, shine; for your light has come!
The glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Nations will come to his light,
and rulers will seek his radiance.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
He will judge the people with righteousness
and defend the cause of the poor.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
The mystery of the ages is revealed;
the eternal plan of God is known to all.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Let us kneel down before him
to give him honor, glory, and praise.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Let us offer him all the treasures
of our hearts and lives.
Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
God of endless light, you sent a star--
rising from darkness,
guiding seekers and sages,
overwhelming us with joy.
Let the splendor of your dawning light
grow in us and in all the world
until the whole creation shines with your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
We Three Kings, sung by The Roches.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                             Matthew 2:1-12   In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John.  John has been in the hospital for six weeks, has suffered extensive organ damage, and is currently intubated.  His family is naturally distraught, especially with the limitations on visiting him.  Pray today for a bright, Christ-centered new year for yourself and all those around you.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
Proclaim the good news,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for Tuesday, January 5, 2021

1/5/2021

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“I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder; thy power throughout the universe displayed…”        
                                                                   —Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                    Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for your light has come!
The glory of the Lord has risen upon us.

Prayer                                               Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Holy One, giver of all light,
lift up our hearts and minds to Christ,
the morning star that never fades.
By the light of your Holy Spirit
reveal to us your saving Word
and lead us to offer our lives to you
in service and in love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
The Prayer of St. Francis, by the Burns Sisters.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                          Jeremiah 31: 7-14   
7 For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
    and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
    “Save, O Lord, your people,
    the remnant of Israel.”
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
    and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
    those with child and those in labor, together;
    a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come,
    and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
    in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
    and Ephraim is my firstborn.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
    and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him,
    and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.”
11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
    and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
    and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
    and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall become like a watered garden,
    and they shall never languish again.
13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
    and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
    I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
14 I will give the priests their fill of fatness,
    and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,
says the Lord.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John.  John has been in the hospital for five weeks, has suffered extensive organ damage, and is currently intubated.  His family is naturally distraught, especially with the limitations on visiting him.  Pray today for students and teachers returning to school, both in person and remotely.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
Proclaim the good news,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
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Daily Prayer for Monday, January 4, 2021

1/4/2021

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“O Lord my God!  When I in awesome wonder consider all the works Thy hands have made…”        
                                                                   —Carl Gustav Boberg, 1885

Preparation for worship
Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit.  Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship…

Opening Sentences                                                                Ephesians 1:3
Blessed is the Lord our God,
and blessed ins Jesus Christ our Savior.

Prayer                                                                       Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel
that needs to be filled.
My Lord, fill it.
I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.
I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent,
that my love may go out to my neighbor.
I do not have a strong and firm faith;
at times I doubt
and am unable to trust you altogether.
O Lord, help me.
Strengthen my faith and trust in you.
In you I have sealed the treasure of all i have.
I am poor; you are rich
and came to be merciful to the poor.
I am a sinner; you are upright.
With me, there is an abundance of sin;
in you is the fullness of righteousness.
Therefore I will remain with you,
of whom I can receive,
but to whom I may not give.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
How Great Thou Art, by Willie and Bobbie Nelson.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                           Jeremiah 31: 1-6             
1 At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
2 Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
    found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
3     the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
    O virgin Israel!
Again you shall take your tambourines,
    and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
5 Again you shall plant vineyards
    on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant,
    and shall enjoy the fruit.
6 For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
    in the hill country of Ephraim:
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.”

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world.  Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  Please pray especially for Susan Smith's brother-in-law John.  John has been in the hospital for five weeks, has suffered extensive organ damage, and is currently intubated.  No one is sure about whether he will recover from this illness.  His family is naturally distraught, especially with the limitations on visiting him.  Pray today for members of your family who you’re not able to see.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
Proclaim the good news,
be persistent in prayer,
do the work of the gospel,
and carry out the ministry
of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
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    Becky Downs, pastor of John Knox, started writing daily prayers for the congregation at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, to encourage the congregation in their faith during their time of separation from each other.  

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John Knox Presbyterian Church      2525 N. Gessner Dr.     Houston, TX       77080                            713-462-5448
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