Daily Prayers and Scriptures: Saturday, May 2

As we enter the third week of Easter, we may see an ease in stay-at-home restrictions and a re-opening of businesses, but we do not know what this means for returning to our places of worship. In this season of uncertainty, let us hold fast to what we know to be true in Christ. May we continue to find encouragement through our daily prayers, spiritual discernment, and a shared reading of the Scripture. Do you know someone that would benefit from these emails?  Please forward this link to friends, family, and your church. Saturday, Third Week of Easter God Will Preserve a Remnant (Zephaniah 3:8-13, NRSV) The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the Sunday lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020. 3: 8 Therefore wait for me, says the Lord, for the day when I arise as a witness. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all the heat of my anger; for in the fire of my passion all the earth shall be consumed. 9 At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord. 10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, my scattered ones, shall bring my offering. 11 On that day you shall not be put to shame because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. 12 For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord— 13 the remnant of Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. Then they will pasture and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid. Jesus Calls the First Disciples, (Matthew 4:18-25, NRSV) Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993). 4: 18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. Morning Prayer From Harold J. Recinos, Professor of Church and Society, Perkins School of Theology/SMU, Dallas, Texas God of life and compassion, you mend what is broken, unite the scattered, give strength to the tired, calm us of all fears, and keep faith focused on the mystery of the Word made flesh in an unemployed carpenter from a poor family who disclosed the light of your truth and reconciling union. God, enlighten us today to learn once again to be your people in service and agents of love in the world filled with the light of your Spirit. God of our deepest longing, come upon us to still our anxious souls, whisper in the long hours of this day the joy obtained for us by your Crucified Son, breathe life into our weary hearts, give us patience to deal with the unknown and the slow movement of healing in our broken world and remind us you have been with us in every age and even now are a refuge—the one who gives comfort, clarity to thought and the assurance that storms will pass. God, by your Spirit, remind us that sickness and suffering do not have the last word on this wondrous new day, instead care, compassion, laughter, healing and service to others in need will speak of your presence through the risen Christ at work in us, through us and around us. Lord, come and make us your peace in the world, today. Amen. Want to know how these emails are created? Click here to find out more. 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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