A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis for December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis
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During these difficult days, members of the Commonwealth East District of the New England Conference are sharing a daily prayer based on the Revised Common Lectionary for the week.
You are welcome to use these in worship or in your own devotions.

Today’s prayer
Inspired by Psalm 126

Loving God, As we awaken these cold December mornings, we breathe in worry, sadness, and pain. Is this a dream we are in? Is time standing still as the light in the day grows shorter and the darkness comes to us earlier? The routines of life have slowed us down. It feels like we are in a strange land. A place where we are separated from each another and embracing in a hug seems like a distant memory. We have been challenged and have sown seeds in many places. Sometimes we find the harvest is not what we hoped it would be.
Here in this season, we are called to wait in anticipation. We have been looking for possibility, for hope, for a ray of light to brighten our days. It is now through our tears and distress; we see you are there Lord. Let us draw nearer to you, and away from the cold, darkness. “Restore our fortunes, O’ Lord.” Use our sorrow to water the seeds we sow in faith so that we can reap an abundant harvest filled with joy. Renew us in Your hope and help us to be patient and attentive to all that You are doing in our lives. As we wait, remind us that "those who go out weeping ... shall come home with shouts of joy."
Come anew in our hearts this day and remain in us forever. May we learn to listen in the deep, dark places and help us to live in the already and in the not yet. Let us hope in the Lord, for he is coming to make all things new. Help us to remember that light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. Show us how to walk continually in Your love, so that we may shine that love out into Your world.
In unison, we hear God’s people say, “Look what the Lord has done.” And with that, we rejoice! AMEN.

Jennifer Jordan, Certified Lay Minister (CLM); Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries; Ministry Team – Bryantville UMC (Pembroke, MA)