“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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“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. “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. “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. “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. “Follow, follow, rise up, shepherd, and follow, follow the Star of Bethlehem, rise up, shepherd, and follow.”
—-African-American spiritual 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 Colossians 3:15, 16 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Prayer Wild Goose Worship Group, Iona, Scotland, 1997, ed. In the face of the Gospel, let us ask God for a good Christmas: …that no powerful nation should tax the poor or uproot them; …that no unmarried mother should be put away in disgrace; …that no door will be shut on those who need to find it open; …that shepherds and sheep and all of nature need not be afraid; …that barbed wire and angry soldiers may not be found in Bethlehem; …that wise men and wise women might appear in China, in Venezuela, in Azerbaijan, in England, in Washington; …that children may be protected from those who would abuse them; …that this Christmas, worship may become a manger and the church a stable, and the rumor become a reality that Christ has come among us. And this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Hymn of the Day Auld Lang Syne, by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Revelation 21:1-5 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” 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, for Denie and her husband Francisco, who is home from the hospital after over a month; for Brandon Jantzen and his family; for David Lewallen’s son-in-law; for Debbie Battisse-Kleinman, pastor of the Indian Presbyterian Church in Livingston, and her family; and for Rev. Scott Harbison, pastor of St. Luke’s Presbyterian; and for Lizzie Downs. 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 those who have hurt you deeply, that God would heal your wounds, and that some day, in some way, reconciliation would be possible. 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 love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this Christmas, and evermore. Amen. |
AuthorBecky 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. The daily prayers were posted throughout the year. You might want to choose one a day to read, and modify the specific prayers for self and others to fit your life today. Archives
April 2021
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