April 13, 2021

A daily prayer during this COVID-19 crisis

During these difficult days, Bishop Devadhar and 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

Ancestors
These words are meant to be prayed aloud as the Spirit moves you.

 
God of our ancestors,
God of all who have gone before us,
 
God of Sarah and Hagar,
God of Rebekah,
God of Leah and Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah,
God of Dinah,
God of those whose names are lost or forgotten but whom you remember,
we have faith in your name,
and this faith makes us strong.
 
Holy and Righteous One,
Author of life,
Messiah,
we have faith in your name,
and this faith makes us strong.
 
Spirit,
Breath of peace,
we have faith in your name,
and this faith makes us strong.
 
You open our minds to understand your story —
Miriam’s liberation song, 
and Zipporah’s enduring devotion,
Ruth’s loyal loving-kindness, 
and Deborah’s courageous power,
Hannah’s silent prayer,
and Huldah’s honest prophecy,
Abigail’s faithful foresight,
and Esther’s saving authority.
 
You open our minds to understand your story,
and we remember —
we are your children,
your beloved children.
This is your name for us now.
 
God of (insert your own name and the names of faithful people you know),
we are part of the fulfillment of your story.
 
We are the witnesses.
We remember.
We are strong.
 
Let it be so. Amen.
 
In observance of Native American Ministries Sunday, I write out of respect for the many indigenous people who honor the ancestors in prayer, and for the thousands of missing and murdered North American indigenous women, some whose names have been lost or forgotten.

Rev. Jill Colley Robinson, Green Mountain District Superintendent
Inspired by Acts 3.12-19; I John 3.1-7; Luke 24.36b-48