Daily Prayer for Thursday, July 23, 2020

“Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:  May Jesus Christ be praised!”                
                                                    —-German hymn, c. 1800

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                                                               Matthew 23:12
Those who exalt themselves shall be humbled,
and those who humble themselves shall be exalted.

Prayer                                                    Hymn at monastic profession, Orthodox
Make haste to open thy fatherly arms to me:
For as the prodigal I have wasted my life.
O Savior, remember the inexhaustible riches of thy mercy
And despise not a heart now in poverty.
For to thee, O Lord, with contrite heart I cry:
Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee.

Hymn of the Day
Wings of the Morning, by John Rutter.  This song, based on Psalm 139, is sung by the Cambridge Singers, City of London Sinfonia.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                              Romans 15: 1-6
    1 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. 3 For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, working as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Mario’s friend Leah, her mother and her daughter, Carolyn Feigh, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus.  Today pray that the plateau in hospitalizations in Houston would be come a downturn, so that as we get back to a manageable level, our lives could resume more normally.  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 God of glory,
the Lord of life,
and the Spirit of truth
be with you all.  Amen.