Daily Prayer for Friday, June 19, 2020

Here’s my heart, o take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.                                                                                  —-Robert Robinson, 1758

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                                                                    Micah 6:8
What does the Holy One require of us?
To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.

Prayer                                             Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Mighty and merciful God,
lover of justice and equity,
you call us to support the weak,
to help those who suffer,
and to honor all people.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
make us advocates for your justice
and instruments of your peace,
so that all may be reconciled
in your beloved community;
through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.     

Hymn of the Day
Ella Jenkins sings “Wade In the Water.”  Listen as you pray.

Reading of the Day:                                                            Amos 5: 18-24 
18 Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
    Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
19  as if someone fled from a lion,
    and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
    and was bitten by a snake.
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
    and gloom with no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise your festivals,
    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
    I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
24 But let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Today pray simply for justice, kindness, and humility in our search for solutions to the current pandemic.  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:
Be watchful,
stand firm in your faith,
be courageous and strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.
Amen.     ​