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| We are steeped in news stories of sickness, injustice, vulnerability and loss. These daily prayers and Scripture readings are an antidote infusing us with the Spirit that heals and refreshes, reminding us we are in this together, called to action, connected to God, the Source of Life.
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| | Thursday, Sixth Week of Easter
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| God’s Justice for the Unjust King (Jeremiah 22:11-19, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the print passage for Sunday’s lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
22:11 For thus says the Lord concerning Shallum son of King Josiah of Judah, who succeeded his father Josiah, and who went away from this place: He shall return here no more, 12 but in the place where they have carried him captive he shall die, and he shall never see this land again.
13 Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness,
and his upper rooms by injustice;
who makes his neighbors work for nothing,
and does not give them their wages;
14 who says, “I will build myself a spacious house
with large upper rooms,”
and who cuts out windows for it,
paneling it with cedar,
and painting it with vermilion.
15 Are you a king
because you compete in cedar?
Did not your father eat and drink
and do justice and righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
says the Lord.
17 But your eyes and heart
are only on your dishonest gain,
for shedding innocent blood,
and for practicing oppression and violence.
18 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah:
They shall not lament for him, saying,
“Alas, my brother!” or “Alas, sister!”
They shall not lament for him, saying,
“Alas, lord!” or “Alas, his majesty!”
19 With the burial of a donkey he shall be buried—
dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20, NRSV)
Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
28:16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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| | Strengthen Us for Work
A Prayer from Retired Disciples of Christ Minister, Kenneth W. Moore
Creator God, source of love and compassion, we come to You today with hearts heavy for those who suffer from the symptoms of Covid-19 and their families and friends.
We pray for all those whose livelihood has been impacted by this pandemic.
Hear our prayers as well for the lonely and depressed who are weary from being homebound for months.
We pray, O God, that your Spirit might fill us and thus encourage us to continue to discover new and creative ways to love our neighbor. May the Church find in these troubled times new opportunities for rich and significant ministries that are not limited to church buildings alone.
Strengthen us to work for the healing of all as we may join with You in building networks of unfailing love and redemptive grace. This we pray in Your many names. Amen.
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