Daily Prayer for Tuesday, June 23, 2020

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid…”                        
                                                         —-“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                                                                 Malachi 1: 11
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the Lord’s name is great among the nations.

Prayer                                                                          John Calvin (1509-1564)
Almighty and Gracious God,
since our whole salvation stands
in our knowledge of your holy word,
pour out your Holy Spirit upon us,
that our hearts may be freed from the chains of sin,
so that we may hear and receive your word,
recognizing your gracious will for us.
Teach us by scripture
to love and serve you with delight,
praising and glorifying you
in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.     

Hymn of the Day
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, by Sufjan Stevens. Pray and listen.

Reading of the Day:                                                      Matthew 19: 23-30 
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

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, for the Lily family, and for all those who have been recently diagnosed with 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 who do the holy work of maintaining, cleaning, and sanitizing our hospitals, that they would be able to stay strong and well.  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!