Daily Prayers for Friday, April 24, 2020

Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be Thou still my strength and shield.
                        William Williams, 1745
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—                                                                       Rev. 1:8
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord who was and is and is to come.

Prayer                                                               Dionysius of Alexandria (d. 264)
God,
good beyond all that is good,
fair beyond all that is fair,
in you is calmness, peace, and concord.
Heal the dissensions that divide us from one another
and bring us back to a unity of love
bearing some likeness to your divine nature.
Through the embrace of love
and the bonds of godly affection,
make us one in the Spirit
by your peace which makes all things peaceful.
We ask this through the grace, mercy, and tenderness
of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.    


Hymn of the Day
Down to the River, virtual choir directed by Tiffany Goodrick in 2017.  Listen here to this American folk song which has just recently begun to be included in hymnals.   


Reading of the Day:                                                                Acts 2: 37-47
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.


43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
            
Prayers for self and others
Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19, including Mark Sabala and Marcy Szeliga in their work as nurses, Debbi’s daughter Linda’s neighbors, Star Sims and her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, all hospitalized with the virus, the family of Lynn Thygessen, Donna Ardell’s cousin, who has died of the virus, and Mary Huffman from Celebration Singers, who may be treated for COVID19 as a precaution due to similar symptoms. Pray for the Session of John Knox church, as we meet next week to make decisions about how to move forward. 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:
Now to the Sovereign eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only God,
​be honor and glory for ever and ever.  Amen.