Daily Prayers for May 20
In 1976, Indonesia annexed East Timor after the sudden withdrawal of the Portuguese. It is estimated that two hundred thousand Timorese died under the brutal and violent Indonesian rule. After years of violence between separatist guerillas and pro-Indonesian paramilitary forces, East Timor gained its independence on May 20, 2002. Today East Timor is one of the world’s poorest countries.
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 “What Wondrous Love”
Find us in your love, O Lord : and lead us in your path.
Psalm 103:1 – 5
Bless the Lord, O my soul : and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul : and forget not all his benefits.
He forgives all your sins : and heals all your infirmities;
he redeems your life from the grave : and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
he satisfies you with good things : and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
Find us in your love, O Lord : and lead us in your path.
Numbers 22:21 – 38 Luke 8:40 – 56
Find us in your love, O Lord : and lead us in your path.
Twentieth-century Presbyterian theologian and writer Frederick Buechner has written, “Who knows how the awareness of God’s love first hits -people? Every person has his own tale to tell, including the person who would not believe in God if you paid him. Some moment happens in your life that makes you say Yes right up to the roots of your hair, that makes it worth having been born just to have happen. Laughing with somebody till the tears run down your cheeks. Waking up to the first snow. Being in bed with somebody you love. Whether you thank God for such a moment or thank your lucky stars, it is a moment that is trying to open up your whole life. If you try to turn your back on such a moment and hurry along to Business as Usual, it may lose you the whole ball game. If you throw your arms around such a moment and hug it like crazy, it may save your soul. How about the person you know who as far as you can possibly tell has never had such a moment? Maybe for that person the moment that has to happen is you.”
Prayers for Others
Our Father
Give us grace to be present to those moments, Lord, when your love is real enough to taste. 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.
