Daily Prayer for Wednesday, August 19, 2020

​“In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me…”        
                                        —-Henry Williams Baker, 1868

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                                                              Jeremiah 23: 29
The word of the Lord is like fire,
like a hammer that smashes a stone.   

Prayer                                                           PC(USA) Book of Common Worship
Grant us, O Lord,
the grace always to do and think
what accords with your purpose;
that we, who cannot exist without you,
may be enabled to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, fever and ever.  Amen.   

Hymn of the Day
Amazing Grace, sung by Randy Travis.  Listen as you read and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                           Philippians 4: 1-9
    1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
    2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
    4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

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 Romie, whose father passed away recently and whose mother has now died of the virus, for Sylvia Washer, and for all who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus.  Please pray for your own needs today, as we each pass through this time of alienation. 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
Whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God through him.
Amen.