Daily Prayer for Friday, June 5, 2020

I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere Lord, anytime!
                        —-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                                                     2 Thessalonians 1: 3
Thanks be to God for your abundant faith.
May the love of God continue to grow in us.


Prayer                                                           Attr. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
God of life
there are days when the burdens we carry
are heavy on our shoulders and weigh us down,
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies are gray and threatening,
when our lives have no music in them,
and our hearts are lonely,
and our souls have lost their courage.
Flood the path with light,
turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise;
tune our hearts to brave music;
give us the sense of comradeship
with heroes and saints of every age;
and so quicken our spirits
that we may be able to encourage
the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life,
to your honor and glory.  Amen.   


Hymn of the Day
“It Is Well With My Soul,” by the choir at First Presbyterian Church, Tecumseh, Michigan, and their director Francisco Fernandez, for Pentecost Sunday, 2020.


Reading of the Day                                                        Ecclesiastes 5:  1-3
5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools; for they do not know how to keep from doing evil. 2 Never be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.
3 For dreams come with many cares, and a fool’s voice with many words.


Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Today please pray for those near us and abroad who don’t have access to adequate medical care.   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
God has shown you what is good.
What does the Lord require of you?
To do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Amen.