Daily Prayer for Thursday, November 5, 2020

​“And keep us in God’s grace, and guide us when perplexed, and free us from all ills in this world and the next.”        
                                        —-Martin Rinkart, c. 1636

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 9:13
The Lord desires mercy, not sacrifice.
Jesus calls not the righteous, but sinners.

Prayer                                                 The Worship Sourcebook, CRC, 2013
Lord, our God,
help us to be agents of your peace in this city.
We pray for all who work
to provide housing,
to teach anti-racism,
to provide fruitful employment,
to provide safe schools and places of training and learning,
to develop artistic gifts,
to provide health care,
to provide spiritual care,
to bear witness to your love for us in Jesus Christ,
to minister to refugees.
May we, like leaven, be your agents of peace and renewal
so that all your children will flourish and glorify you.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Hymn of the Day
The Church’s One Foundation, arr. by Dan Forrest, at Duke Chapel.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                                Psalm 23 (CEB)
The Lord is my shepherd.
    I lack nothing.
2 He lets me rest in grassy meadows;
    he leads me to restful waters;
3        he keeps me alive.
He guides me in proper paths
    for the sake of his good name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no danger because you are with me.
Your rod and your staff--
    they protect me.
5 You set a table for me
    right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil;
    my cup is so full it spills over!
6 Yes, goodness and faithful love
    will pursue me all the days of my life,
    and I will live in the Lord’s house
    as long as I live.

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.  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 areas where the COVID rates are soaring, some for the second or third time. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
The blessing of the one God--
Spirit, Son, and Father--
be with you now and always.
Amen.