 August 31, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, members of the Commonwealth West 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 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ..., are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. ... put on the Lord Jesus Christ, .... (Excerpt from Romans 13:8-14) Holy God, you are our heart's desire. In quiet joy and humble spirit, we come before your presence. You never forget your children; you comfort those who are restless and fearful; you call us to a new way of being. Loving God, we live in a world fragmented by greed and hatred, grief and suffering. Yet, in your mercy and compassion, we bring our prayers. Infections rise and social restrictions are re-imposed in many places. We continue our prayers for those who have lost their lives, infected, their families, medical and essential workers, and all those who are in social isolation. We lament that, in our society and all over the world, billions of people, especially in Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Uighur and Tibet in China, struggle from hunger, disease, discrimination, violence, oppression and brutality; suffer without access to medicine, sanitation, clean water, place to sleep, and food, particularly the poor communities, the homeless, and the refugee camps; women, girls, and sexual minorities routinely harassed, abused, and assaulted. The pandemic has made their already dire situation even worse. Their suffering seems neglected and endless. Our Christ taught us that if we do not love our sisters and brothers whom we can see, we cannot claim to love God who is unseen. O God, let your Spirit create in us awareness and humble discipleship; the courage to speak up for justice; and the faith to take right actions in order to bring practical changes for the least of the least among us. Gracious God, bless us not to slide into selfishness of focusing on ourselves, our families, our churches in these challenging times. In your mercy, hear our prayers as we offer these in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Rev. Byungmoo (Moo) Lee, Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester, MA In response to Romans 13:8-14
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 AUG. 30, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society of New England is 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 Based on Matthew 16: 24-28 Jesus asks, “what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” In the next sentence, “what will they give in return for their life? In these very dangerous days many around us have a simple answer, “money, profit, power!” And that is wrong – by the Golden Rule, by all the teachings of Jesus, by any sense of community locally or worldwide – wrong. A dear late friend of mine, Bob Edgar used to begin almost every public speech by quoting an old African proverb, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” In our world today, none of us is safe unless all of us are safe – together. God of the east and of the west; God of the rich and poor; God of Kingdoms and Kindoms, give us the wisdom of Christ and the faith of all true Disciples. Help us to believe not in Jesus alone, but in every notion of His beliefs and teachings. Help us believe what Jesus believed. Give us the strength of many hands and hearts working toward one end, justice, compassion, and love. In the name of creator God, incarnate Christ and our common Holy Spirit. Amen. Written by Dr. Thomas Gallen; he retired from his role as Executive Director of the Preachers’ Aid Society in 2015. He currently serves as the Pastor of First UMC in Chatham, MA.  AUG. 29, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society of New England is 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 Based on Matthew 16: 21-23 Almighty and ever living God, we find ourselves faced with so many stumbling blocks in this time of pandemic. We try our best to stay safe and to keep those we love safe. We are bombarded with information and changing expectations. We no longer know what is normal and yet we crave to find a sense of normalcy. We understand Peter’s outburst at Jesus as he described the suffering he would face. We feel that we have reached our limit and we long for your assurance. Loving God, focus us again on your divine love for us and for your creation. Help us to see how we can be those who remove stumbling blocks not just for ourselves, but for all the world. Give us the courage to face our daily reality and discover new remedies for the fears that would consume us. May we discover the gifts of social distancing that can inform our lives and behaviors beyond this pandemic. May we never again take our ability to be together for granted. Unite us again in our efforts to live as your disciples bringing love to a hurting world. Amen. Written by Rev. Dr. Wesley Palmer, Executive Director of the Preachers’ Aid Society.  AUG. 27, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society of New England is 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 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12 O God, I welcome this new day with hope, even though sometimes it’s hard -- Hope for reconciliation and justice in the midst of tension, estrangement, and misunderstanding in my personal relationships and in our nation. Hope for a vaccine in the midst of a pandemic which continues to claim so many lives and has caused economic hardship for the already vulnerable. Hope for the opportunity to once again visit loved ones, sing together, and worship together in one space. O God, help me to be patient, even though sometimes it’s hard -- When reconciliation requires careful listening, validation, acknowledging my complicity, and the honesty to admit when I was wrong. When there is no clear end in sight to this pandemic and when I see effective strategies for reducing the spread of the virus being ignored. When ZOOM chorus rehearsals and Skype worship services and phone calls are a poor replacement to being together in the same space. When hope and patience are hard and hard to come by, help me to keep on praying, to keep pressing on, to persevere. Remind me, O God, that to persevere in prayer is to persevere in love, and sometimes that’s hard too. Help me to draw my strength from you and to place my trust in you. Help me to live in hope, with patience, and motivated by love this day. Amen. Submitted by Rev. Cathy Anderson, retired elder, former Director of Pastoral Care Ministries for the Preachers’ Aid Society  AUG. 26, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society of New England is 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 Based on Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45b Gracious and Loving Lord we seek your will In these days when the world is too much with us With us as we are overwhelmed with news of sickness and death With us as we see man’s inhumanity to man over and over again With us when we see those who serve self above others With us when we see those whose greed steals from others. We thank you that we are able to refocus our thoughts to your blessings As we see the miracle of a hatching egg and the bursting forth of a bloom from a bud As we see the friendship of children who only see sameness and not difference As we see the thoughtful caring even in a simple act of picking up someone’s dropped item As we see those whose dedication to “right” guides their every day. Oh Lord, the wonders you have given us are so all-encompassing that we are inadequate in our attempts to acknowledge them all. We ask that you accept our awareness of these blessings as gratitude, especially in these difficult days. May our awareness include recognition that all that we have and all that we are is from you – whether it is as grand as the glory of a sky-filled sunset, as minute as the perfection of a tiny hummingbird or the opportunity to provide a comforting prayer and hug. May our awareness also include acknowledgement that you are our strength as you know each of us and are protecting each of us. In that assurance we can rejoice in gratitude and praise even when the world is too much with us. Amen! Written by Gail Tapply, PAS’ Director of Clergy Family Services, Northwest-Central Region; Lay Leader and member of First United Methodist Church in Gilford, NH  AUG. 25, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society of New England is 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 Exodus 3: 7-15 God of the universe, Help me to exist in this world, To be one with the stars of heaven and earth. God of compassion, I pray, hear my cry in my suffering. Make me whole. Remind me that life is your gift to all. God of Faith, Guide me that I may know you in each day’s journey. May there be no question in my heart that you are near. God of trust, Help me to stand strong, to climb the mountains before me. Surround me with your Spirit; I am your servant. God of Love, I praise your name I AM. Love will show the way to all generations, Your name shall be known for all eternity. Written by Karen M Ruggiero, Preachers Aid Society Director of Pastoral Care Ministries & Clergy Family Services SE  AUG. 24, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the Preachers' Aid Society of New England is 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 Exodus 3:1-6 Lord, May we see you, In moments of chaos, In the midst of things that don’t make sense. When our minds are confused, And our hearts are fearful, Invite us close to You. And help us to find the courage To come closer to You. May Your light cast clarity over chaos, Peace over turmoil, And grace over creation. Amen. Written by Rob Powell, Director of Clergy Family Services — Southwest for The Preacher’s Aid Society of New England.  AUG. 23, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the United Methodist Foundation of New England is 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 Matthew 16.13-20, Romans 12.1-8 Gracious and loving God, Source of our wisdom and sustainer of our spirits, Thank you for your steadfast presence with us. You have created each one, and through your grace have gifted us with unique qualities and talents. In your wisdom, bring us together – as one body – to serve you and one another. Bring us together to love you and one another. Through your grace combine our gifts and talents in your holy web of interdependence, Ever reminding us that there is room for all, and that all are essential in your love and All are needed in our liberation. Bring your peace to those who are hurting and grieving this day. We thank you for Simon Peter, whose humanity, flaws, and enthusiasm remind us that we, too, have a place and purpose in your kin-dom. Give us the courage to love with reckless abandon in following Jesus the Christ. In these challenging days, we will testify to who you are through our hearts, minds, hands, and feet – in our living. We will remind one another of your light and love that heals, sustains, comforts, and surrounds us all. In your holy name we pray, Amen. Written by Rev. Ted Crass, President, United Methodist Foundation of New England  AUG. 22, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the United Methodist Foundation of New England is 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 Romans 12:1-8 Loving Father take my life. I place my life before You as a living sacrifice. Thank you for Jesus and the gift of salvation by grace, through faith in His finished work. You alone are worthy of my love and praise. During these difficult times it is easy to become distracted and focus on the concerns of this world. Instead keep my focus on You. With the unique spiritual gifts that you have given me, help me to share my faith with others. Also help me to pour Your love out to others so that they may feel Your love through me and turn to You. Help me to love broadly and consider the needs of others before my own. All of this I ask in the matchless name of Jesus, AMEN Written by Pam Carpenter, Treasurer, United Methodist Foundation of New England  AUG. 21, 2020
A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis During these difficult days, the United Methodist Foundation of New England is 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 A Simple Prayer of Hope inspired by Psalm 124 Holy God, We know from the old sung prayers that “Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.” Thank you for your love that we can cling to through this most challenging time. When things become overwhelming, we can forget that you love us unconditionally and are there for us in every moment of the day. Thank you for being with us. Help us to accept this love and try to replace our pain with that love. Guide us to make your love real for others. We will always remember “Our help is in the name of the LORD, maker of heaven and earth.” Amen. Written by Judy Vining, Accounts Manager, United Methodist Foundation of New England |
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