Daily Prayers and Scriptures: Friday, April 3

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.  Do you know someone that would benefit from these emails?  Please forward this link to friends, family, and your church. Malachi 3:7-12, NRSV Jesus, God’s Servant Messiah 15 When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, 16 and he ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18 “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory. 21 And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” O God of All By Rev. Dr. Don Ng, American Baptist Church O God of all people, big and small, black, white, yellow, red, brown and every hue of the rainbow, young and old, all gender and orientations, and all nations and parts of this celestial ball, we praise you for the magnificent display of diversity and uniquenesses. Today, we are scared and frightened by the invisible virus threat that is incompatible to our health. Grant us the love to care for each other, the compassion to reach out to the most vulnerable, and the understanding that no one group is at fault for this threat. Heal us to see each other as sisters and brothers. Give us the courage to persevere and become healthy once again to do your work on earth. In Christ who unites us all. 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.

NCC NOW is a periodic, timely email with brief updates and news from the National Council of Churches. Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950,  the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions  and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity.  http://nationalcouncilofchurches.us