Daily Prayer for Wednesday, November 4, 2020

“All praise and thanks to God, who reigns in highest heaven, to Father and to Son and Spirit now be given.”        
                                        —-Martin Rinkart, c. 1636

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                                               2 Thessalonians 2: 15-17
Stand firm and hold fast to your faith.
God will strengthen us in word and deed.

Prayer                                                                 Clement of Rome (1st century)
O God Almighty,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Grant us, we pray,
to be grounded and settled in your truth
by the coming down of the Holy Spirit into our hearts.
That which we know not, reveal;
that which is wanting in us, fill up;
that which we know, confirm;
and keep us blameless in your service;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day
Handel’s Gloria, Qui Tollis, by Emma Kirkby with the Royal Academy of Music Baroque Orchestra.  Listen and pray. 

Reading of the Day                                                               Psalm 23 (CEV)
1 You, Lord, are my shepherd.
    I will never be in need.
2  You let me rest in fields
    of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
3  and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
    and you lead me
    along the right paths.
4 I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
    but I won’t be afraid.
You are with me,
    and your shepherd’s rod
    makes me feel safe.
5 You treat me to a feast,
    while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
    and you fill my cup
    until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love
will always be with me
    each day of my life,
    and I will live forever
    in your house, Lord.

Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID-19 and by its side effects in our world. Pray for the thousands who are still being diagnosed positive in the U.S. each day.  As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Pray today for those who’ve been defeated in the election, that they would nevertheless be filled with hope for the future, true respect for those who won, and inspiration for ways to use their gifts to build up the community. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God.

Benediction
The blessing of the one God--
Spirit, Son, and Father--
be with you now and always.
Amen.