Daily Prayer for Wednesday, April 8, 2020- Holy Week

            …O sacred head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!
                                              Attr. Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153)
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—                 Ephesians 5: 8, 14
Live as children of the light.  Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.


Prayer                     
Gracious God,
in order that the children of earth
might discern good from evil
you sent your Son to be the light of the world.
As Christ shines upon us,
may we learn what pleases you,
and live in all truth and goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.


Hymn of the Day
Were You There?  (Presbyterian Hymnal #102) Each day this week I’ll suggest another interpretation of this song, in the hope that they will provide new insight to us all. Today’s music is provided by the Prestonwood Choir.
Listen and pray along with this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEaF10qpXz0


Reading of the Day:  Mark 14: 3-9
3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”


Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19, including Kay and Mark Sabala’s friend, Becky’s friend Scott and his family, Debbi’s daughter Linda’s neighbors, Star Sims’ nephew, and Mary Warwick from TWRC. Pray for those in government, that they would navigate this time with wisdom, compassion, and justice. 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 Lamb upon the throne
be your shepherd,
guiding you to the water of life,
and wiping away every tear.  Amen.