Daily Prayers for January 24
On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold in the American River, setting off the California Gold Rush. Prior to the discovery of this precious metal, one hundred and fifty thousand Native Americans lived in California. White settlers in search of gold brought with them genocide through both disease and violence. In 1851, the government of California endorsed the extermination of Native -people. Offering five dollars per head in some places, they invested a total of a million dollars in the systematic murder of men, women, and children. By 1870, only an estimated thirty-one thousand California Natives had survived.
O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Come, let us bow down and bend the knee : let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Song “I Want -Jesus to Walk with Me”
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening : give us life according to your word.
Psalm 119:25 – 28
My soul cleaves to the dust : give me life according to your word.
I have confessed my ways, and you answered me : instruct me in your statutes.
Make me understand the way of your commandments : that I may meditate on your marvelous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow : strengthen me according to your word.
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening : give us life according to your word.
Genesis 16:15 – 17:14 Ephesians 3:1 – 13
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening : give us life according to your word.
Seattle, chief of the Suquamish, said, “One thing we know, which the White Man may one day discover — our God is the same God. You may think that you own Him as you wish to own our land; but you cannot. He is the God of humanity, and his compassion is equal for the red man and the white. The earth is precious to him, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its Creator. Even the white man cannot be exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Thank you, Lord, that you do not claim to be God over just some -people but are the creator and redeemer of all creatures. Help us spread the good news that no one can claim ownership of you, because each of us belongs to you. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.
