“O worship the King, all glorious above! O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love…”
—-Robert Grant, 1833 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 Zephaniah 1:7 Keep silence before the Lord God! The day of the Lord is at hand. Prayer Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018 Ever-living God, before the earth was formed and even after it shall cease to be, you are God. Break into our short span of life and show us those things that are eternal, that we may serve your purpose in all we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Hymn of the Day On Eagles’ Wings, by Michael Joncas, sung by Catholic Fellowship Jakarta. Listen and pray. https://youtu.be/OXfu01zfqb0 Reading of the Day Psalm 91 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, 6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. 14 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. 15 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. 16 With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. 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, especially for Mario Berrios and his family. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for children whose parents are ill or have lost work. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. To God be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
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“The one eternal God, whom heaven and earth adore, the God who was, and is, and shall be evermore.”
—-Martin Rinkart, c. 1636 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 130:7 People of God, hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is steadfast love. Prayer St. Julian of Norwich, c. 1390 In you, Father almighty, we have our preservation and our bliss. In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving. You are our mother, brother, and Savior. In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace. You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us. You are our maker, our lover, our keeper. Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Amen Hymn of the Day My Baby Needs a Shepherd, by Emmylou Harris. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Psalm 23 (NRSV) 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. 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. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for children everywhere, that they would be loved and cherished and taught wisely, and that they would be well. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction The blessing of the one God-- Spirit, Son, and Father-- be with you now and always. Amen. “And keep us in God’s grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.”
—-Martin Rinkart, c. 1636 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 9:13 The Lord desires mercy, not sacrifice. Jesus calls not the righteous, but sinners. Prayer The Worship Sourcebook, CRC, 2013 Lord, our God, help us to be agents of your peace in this city. We pray for all who work to provide housing, to teach anti-racism, to provide fruitful employment, to provide safe schools and places of training and learning, to develop artistic gifts, to provide health care, to provide spiritual care, to bear witness to your love for us in Jesus Christ, to minister to refugees. May we, like leaven, be your agents of peace and renewal so that all your children will flourish and glorify you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. Hymn of the Day The Church’s One Foundation, arr. by Dan Forrest, at Duke Chapel. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Psalm 23 (CEB) The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. 2 He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; 3 he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff-- they protect me. 5 You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! 6 Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. 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. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for areas where the COVID rates are soaring, some for the second or third time. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction The blessing of the one God-- Spirit, Son, and Father-- be with you now and always. Amen. “All praise and thanks to God, who reigns in highest heaven, to Father and to Son and Spirit now be given.”
—-Martin Rinkart, c. 1636 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 2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17 Stand firm and hold fast to your faith. God will strengthen us in word and deed. Prayer Clement of Rome (1st century) O God Almighty, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Grant us, we pray, to be grounded and settled in your truth by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. That which we know not, reveal; that which is wanting in us, fill up; that which we know, confirm; and keep us blameless in your service; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn of the Day Handel’s Gloria, Qui Tollis, by Emma Kirkby with the Royal Academy of Music Baroque Orchestra. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Psalm 23 (CEV) 1 You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. 5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. 6 Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, 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. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for those who’ve been defeated in the election, that they would nevertheless be filled with hope for the future, true respect for those who won, and inspiration for ways to use their gifts to build up the community. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction The blessing of the one God-- Spirit, Son, and Father-- be with you now and always. Amen. “O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us…”
—-Martin Rinkart, c. 1636 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 146:9 The Lord watches over the strangers; God upholds those who are in need. Prayer Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018 Under your law we live, great God, and by your will we govern ourselves. Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours, so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us, and elect candidates to serve the common welfare; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. Hymn of the Day Holy Water, by We the Kingdom and Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Listen and pray. Reading of the Day Psalm 23 (King James Version) 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 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. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for election officials charged with the complicated job of counting votes, that they would be allowed the time to do so diligently and with integrity. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction The blessing of the one God-- Spirit, Son, and Father-- be with you now and always. 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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