Daily Prayer for Friday, November 13, 2020

“Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, our maker defender, redeemer, and friend.”        
                                                            —-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                                                             Mark 2: 27-28
God made the sabbath as a gift for us,
and Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath.

Prayer                                             Based on a prayer of Origen (c. 185-254)
Come to me,
O servant Lord,
pour water in your bowl,
and wash my feet.
I am bold to ask this
because of my longing
for fellowship with you.
Wash my feet, then,
and be my companion.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day                            
The Storm is Passing Over, by the Detroit Mass Choir.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                            2 Kings 6:15-23
15 When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, “Alas, master! What shall we do?” 16 He replied, “Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, please, with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.
20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men so that they may see.” The Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were inside Samaria. 21 When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, “Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22 He answered, “No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel.

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 our congregation, that God would bless us with energy, creativity, dedication, and mutual love. 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.