Daily Prayers for Thursday, April 16, 2020

             Make me a channel of your peace...
                              Attr. St. Francis, 1181-1226

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                                                            Acts 10: 39-41
The crucified one is risen from the dead.
We are witnesses:  Christ is risen indeed!

Prayer                        
Holy God, creator of all,
the risen Christ taught from scripture
of his death, resurrection,
and ascension into your glorious presence.
May the living Lord
breathe on us his peace,
that our eyes may be opened
to recognize him in breaking bread,
and to follow wherever he leads,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.    

Hymn of the Day
Ke Na Le Modisa. Today’s music is provided by the Soweto Gospel Choir, as part of their Live at the Nelson Mandela Theater concert.  The English translation is this:
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want
His name is Jehovah the living God

I will continue to thank you in my prayers
The enemies can hate me but your love does not fail.
After all He remains the solid rock.

Listen and pray along with this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tGOvz5NO0o

Reading of the Day                                                      Matthew 28:16-20 
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
            
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, and Mary Warwick from TWRC. Pray for “non-essential” small business owners and employees, that they would have what they need. 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
Christ is risen!  Do not be afraid.
Go and tell this good news to all.
Alleluia!  Amen.