Daily Prayers for January 31
Marcella of Rome (325 – 410)
Marcella had an enviable life as the daughter of a prominent Roman family who married a wealthy man. But less than a year after her wedding, her husband died. She was given a chance to continue living in wealth when she was proposed to by the wealthy consul Cerealis. She chose instead to convert her mansion into one of the earliest communities of women, where she and other noblewomen used their riches to help the poor. Marcella said she preferred to “store her money in the stomachs of the needy than hide it in a purse.” In 410, when the Goths invaded Rome, they broke into Marcella’s home. When they demanded money, she calmly responded that she had no riches because she had given all to the poor. Though she was an elderly woman, they beat and tortured her mercilessly. Her attackers were eventually shamed by her piety and she was released, but she died within a short time.
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 sing to the Lord : let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Song “Sing and Rejoice”
Fill us, Lord, with the abundance : of life that never ends.
Psalm 147:6 – 9
The Lord lifts up the lowly : but casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving : make music to our God upon the harp.
He covers the heavens with clouds : and prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass to grow upon the mountains : and green plants to serve mankind.
Fill us, Lord, with the abundance : of life that never ends.
Genesis 23:1 – 20 Ephesians 6:10 – 24
Fill us, Lord, with the abundance : of life that never ends.
Marcella of Rome wrote, “By heaven’s grace, captivity has found me a poor woman, not made me one. Now I shall go in want of daily bread, but I shall not feel hunger since I am full of Christ.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Lord, some of us have found wealth in this world, while others of us are left wanting. But as we stand before you, we are all paupers save for your grace and love. Remind us that our true wealth is your gift of a sustainable way of life for all. 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.
Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: A Few Ideas
1. Try to go a whole week without spending any money. If you have to, barter or beg a little to make it through.
2. Hold a Baby Goods Exchange for parents to bring toys and clothing their kids have outgrown and trade them.
3. Join a Bible study led by someone with less formal education than yourself.
4. Attempt to repair something that is broken. Appreciate the -people who repair things for you on a regular basis.
5. Defy complacency and flout despair. Believe that you can do something, right now, right here — even if you take only a baby step.
