A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis for January 19, 2021

​Jan. 19, 2021
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis

During these difficult days, Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar and the members of the Extended Cabinet 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  

O God who calls and sends: 
 
When Jesus was walking 
along the Sea of Galilee 
he called fishermen 
with simple words:
“Follow me.”
 
When Simon and Andrew 
heard Jesus say, “follow me,”
they immediately left their nets 
and went with him. 
 
When James and John 
heard Jesus say, “follow me”
they left their father in the boat 
and followed him.
 
When the fishermen were called,
they asked no questions,
were given no instruction,
expressed no reservations;
they left and followed him. 
 
O God, Jesus finds us,
not on the Sea of Galilee,
but in the midst of a pandemic
and a national crisis.
 
We hear him calling, 
we feel his mourning — 
               the death 
                 the suffering 
                     the exhaustion 
                       the loss and grief
                              the sorrow of loved ones.
 
Here and now, 
may we hear your call. 
Here and now 
may we trust and follow.
Here and now we leave behind 
               what we know, 
                 what is dear,
                     what is certain,
and we follow Jesus.
 
O God, hear these prayers 
and the prayers we lift
with others in our country
in a national moment of remembrance
of those who have died from the coronavirus,
through Christ our Savior. Amen.

​By Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Mark 1: 14-20