April 27, 2020

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

God of Compassion —
we give thanks for Jesus, the Good Shepherd
who knows us
who leads us
who loves us
who calls us by name.

While we are occupied ...
following Twitter,
posting messages on Linkedin and Instagram,
checking Reddit, Pinterest, and Snapchat —

While we are busy ...
choosing “Favorites”, 
making friends on Facebook  
         and unfriending others —

The Shepherd calls, and 
         we hear his voice
we know it well, and 
we turn toward the sound of our name.

Lead us to the Shepherd — 
whose voice we know
whose love knows us
whose way leads through dark valleys, 
whose goodness restores our souls ... 
that we may find our true home.

Creator God, who revealed yourself in the creation of every living thing, we pray not only for ourselves but for your whole creation. These days of human sequestering and quarantine have cleared the skies ... 

so the Himalayas are visible again 
wild animals have space to roam,
lions take rest on roads in Africa,
         elephants stroll in parks and 
         peacocks dance in the streets of India.  

Teach us, O God, how to share this beautiful earth with all that you have made.  

Hear us now as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught to his disciples: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. 

By Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
Scripture: Psalm 23; John 10: 1-10