Daily Prayers and Scriptures: Thursday, March 19

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Subject: Daily Prayers and Scriptures: Thursday, March 19

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During this time in which the whole world is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are posting Daily Bible Readings from the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, Spring 2020, plus a meditation to help guide your prayers, for your inspiration and encouragement.

Prophets Fail on Their Watch

3 And I said:

Listen, you heads of Jacob

and rulers of the house of Israel!

Should you not know justice?—

2 you who hate the good and love the evil,

who tear the skin off my people,[a]

and the flesh off their bones;

3 who eat the flesh of my people,

flay their skin off them,

break their bones in pieces,

and chop them up like meat in a kettle,

like flesh in a caldron.

4 Then they will cry to the Lord,

but he will not answer them;

he will hide his face from them at that time,

because they have acted wickedly.

5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets

who lead my people astray,

who cry “Peace”

when they have something to eat,

but declare war against those

who put nothing into their mouths.

6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision,

and darkness to you, without revelation.

The sun shall go down upon the prophets,

and the day shall be black over them;

7 the seers shall be disgraced,

and the diviners put to shame;

they shall all cover their lips,

for there is no answer from God.

8 But as for me, I am filled with power,

with the spirit of the Lord,

and with justice and might,

to declare to Jacob his transgression

and to Israel his sin.

A Prayer For Today

From Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ

O God in whom we move and have our being, and with whose first breath we were once created, we bring to you our grief, our anxiety, and our fear.

As the world responds to this new threat to our health and well-being, and as more and more elderly and vulnerable people face an uncertain future with the spread of this virus, instill within us a new capacity for love and compassion.

We call for blessings upon the medical care workers who will treat the sick and dying.

We call for blessings on government officials and elected representatives who will manage and steward the resources needed to fight this virus.

We call for blessings on the children sent home from school, especially those whose parents can’t come home from work to take care of them or who might be missing meals while not at school.

We call for blessings on all who must travel during this season.

We call for blessings all who are grieving the passing of a loved one and who cannot gather to memorialize their beloved dead.

May the power of your abiding and steadfast love inspire us all as all to be people of compassion, hope, and joy as we discover anew that there is nothing that can separate us from that love.

We ask this prayer in the power of your most holy name,

AMEN

You can follow our daily readings, prayers, and meditations on our website at http://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/topics/daily/. Be safe, healthy, and blessed during this time.

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Subject: Daily Prayers and Scriptures: Thursday, March 19