Daily Prayer for Friday, March 19, 2021

“Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.”     
                                                                  Charles Wesley, 1747

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 5:8, 14
Live as children of the light.
Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Prayer                                                            World Council of Churches (1991)
Eternal God, creator of the universe,
there is no God but you.
Great and wonderful are your works,
wondrous are your ways.
Thank you for the many splendored variety
of your creation.
Thank you for the many ways
we affirm your presence and purpose,
and the freedom to do so.
Forgive our violation of your creation.
Forgive our violence toward each other.
We stand in awe and gratitude for your persistent love
for each and all of your children:
Christian, Jew, Muslim,
as well as those of other faiths.
Grant to all and our leaders attributes of the strong:
mutual respect in words and deed,
restraint in the exercise of power,
and the will for peace with justice, for all.
Eternal God, creator of the universe,
there is no God but you.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
Will the Circle Be Unbroken, by Gregg Allman & Friends.  Listen and pray.  

Reading of the Day                                                       Numbers 22:36-40
36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at Ir-moab, on the boundary formed by the Arnon, at the farthest point of the boundary. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” 38 Balaam said to Balak, “I have come to you now, but do I have power to say just anything? The word God puts in my mouth, that is what I must say.” 39 Then Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep, and sent them to Balaam and to the officials who were with him.

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, and of course for all those who have been affected by the devastating winter storms.   Please continue to pray for Marcy Szeliga and for Mark Sabala, both working as nurses with Covid patients. Pray for your own needs today, freely sharing your sadness and anger and fear, as well as your hopes and dreams.  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
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you,
and give you peace.