A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis for September 23, 2020

September 23, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis

During these difficult days, members of the Green Mountain 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 Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16

Is the Lord really with us or not?
1 Hear my teaching, O my people;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
There is pain…there is sickness…there is lost income.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
What do we tell our children? How will school work? How will teachers teach?
3 That which we have heard and known,
and what our ancestors have told us,
we will not hide from their children.
But my community no longer looks like my community. I want to go back!
4 We will recount to generations to come
the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the Lord,
and the wonderful works God has done.
Is the Lord really with us or not?
12 God worked marvels in the sight of their ancestors,
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
God worked marvels in the sight of our ancestors.
You, Creator God, make ways of impossible ways.
13 God split open the sea and let them pass through;
God made the waters stand up like walls.
You, Creator God, make paths through roaring seas.
14 God led them with a cloud by day,
and all the night through with a glow of fire.
You, Shepherding God, light paths when the darkness surrounds.
15 God split the hard rocks in the wilderness
and gave them drink as from the great deep.
You, Providing God, fill our spirits with peace.
16 God brought streams out of the cliff,
and the waters gushed out like rivers.

We confess our memories fail us when we are full of doubt, fear, hatred and think we have all the answers. Dare we ask that You fill us, in this time, with Your peace, with Your grace, with Your mercy and with Your patience.
May we encounter this time of unknowns, knowing and trusting in You and your people. For it is in trusting that we might have the same mind as Christ Jesus.
Amen.
​
Tracie Wright, future District Lay Leader, Certified Lay Speaker, Chair Green Mtn District Committee on Location and Building, United Church of Underhill VT; Green Mountain District