Daily Prayer for Thursday, June 25, 2020

“For I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”                        
                                                                   —-“K” in A Selection of Hymns, 1787

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                                                                 Psalm 140: 12
The Lord supports the cause of the needy,
and gives justice to those who are poor.

Prayer                                                Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
You give us prophets, holy God,
to cry out for justice and mercy.
Open our ears to hear them,
and to follow the truth they speak,
lest we support injustice
and seek to secure our own well-being.
Give prophets the fire of your word,
but give them love as well.
Though they are called to speak in your name,
help them never to forget
that they stand with us before you,
and have no Messiah other than your Son,
Jesus Christ, the Lord of all.  Amen.      

Hymn of the Day
Josh Garrels sings “May You Find a Light.”  I hope that this song may dwell in your heart and lead you to peace. 

Reading of the Day:                                                      Matthew 20: 20-28 
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

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, for the Pena family, the Howell family, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here.  Today also pray for those whose movement from homes is still restricted, and for whom the isolation is so hard.  Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction:
Jesus says, “Surely I am coming soon.”
Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus
be with all the saints.
Alleluia!