Daily Prayer for Monday, March 1, 2021

“Jesus walked this lonesome valley, he had to walk it by himself…”        
                                                     —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                                                          Romans 4:16—17
Our faith depends upon the grace of God.
Praise the Lord, who gives life to the dead.

Prayer                                              Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Almighty God,
whose Son was revealed in majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
Give us faith to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to bear our cross,
and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.  Amen.    

Hymn of the Day                            
Amazing Grace, by Andrea Bocelli and Allison Krauss.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                            Genesis 12: 1-4a
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told 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 cities and states that are finally lifting some restrictions, that their people would remain safe while they delight in getting out more.  Pray that everyone who wants a vaccination will get one.  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
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.