For Thursday, January 21st & Friday, January 22nd:
Holy Child of Bethlehem, whose birth proclaimed a coming kingdom; Man of Nazareth, who called us to follow; Suffering Servant, who died to bring us salvation; come among us once more. Our world is full of pain and sorrow, and needs the healing that your love can bring. Our minds are muddled with selfish politics, and need to be freed for faith and action. Come and move among us, teaching and healing, calling us to our senses and inviting us to follow you, to love, to forgive, to trust in the transforming power of God’s love. Give us clarity of thought, and the courage to act from love rather than fear. Fill us with compassion and mercy, that we may find fellowship and community in the tether of God’s love. Then call us to just and generous living, that inspired by your selfless life, we, too, may learn to live for others and love without limit. Amen!
For Saturday, January 23rd& Sunday, January 24th:
It is the weekend, O God, a time for rest and renewal, for play and relaxation—but all of it escapes us. Our bodies are under attack from a deadly virus. Our minds are muddled with the politics of division. Our hearts are heavy with grief for all that the virus has taken from us: friends and loved ones, hopes and dreams, comfortable routines, and familiar festivities. Our spirits are low and our hearts are heavy. Come, Lord Jesus, and move among us as you did so long ago. Speak to us of God’s love and its power to transform. Comfort us in our afflictions, and afflict us where we have become too comfortable with greed, hatred, and injustice. Challenge us to follow you, to accept the cost of discipleship—loving enemy and friend alike; standing up for the oppressed; challenging ourselves to love without limit. Then lead us into a new future where hope and healing overcome all that ails us in body, mind, and spirit. Amen!
