Daily Prayer for Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God…
                                                         —-Robert Robinson, 1758

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                                                               Hebrews 10: 23
Hold fast to your hope without wavering,
For God who has promised is faithful.

Prayer                                               Based on a prayer of Jerome (c. 342-420)
Good shepherd, seek me out,
and bring me again to your fold.
Smile upon me with your favor,
that I may dwell in your house
all the days of my life,
and praise your name forever.  Amen.     

Hymn of the Day
Panis Angelicus, sung by Sting and Luciano Pavarotti. Pray and listen. 
Here is the English translation of the verse, which was written by Thomas Aquinus in the 13th century:
Thus Angels' Bread is made
the Bread of man today:
the Living Bread from heaven
with figures dost away:
O wondrous gift indeed!
the poor and lowly may
upon their Lord and Master feed.

Thee, therefore, we implore,
o Godhead, One in Three,
so may Thou visit us
as we now worship Thee;
and lead us on Thy way,
That we at last may see
the light wherein Thou dwellest aye.
Amen.

Reading of the Day:                                                                        Psalm 23 
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2  He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3  he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff--
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Today please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the healers in our world, who have helped so many thousands of people recover 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.  Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction:
Be watchful,
stand firm in your faith,
be courageous and strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.
Amen.     ​