Daily Prayer for Wednesday, June 24, 2020

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow…”                        
                —-“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                                                       Colossians 1: 17-18
In Christ all things hold together;
he is head of the church and Lord of all.

Prayer                                               Book of Common Worship, PC(USA), 2018
Eternal God,
you set Jesus Christ to rule over all things,
and made us servants in your kingdom.
By your Spirit empower us to love the unloved,
and to minister to all in need.
Then at the last bring us to your eternal realm
where we may worship and adore you
and be welcomed into your everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.      

Hymn of the Day
Emmylou Harris sings “Where Could I Go but to the Lord.” Pray as you listen.

Reading of the Day:                                                         Matthew 20: 1-16 
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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, the Howell family, the Lily family, and for all others 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 own and manage restaurants, that they would work diligently to protect their employees and guests.  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!