Daily Prayers for October 8

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 Will Trust in the Lord”

You are my helper and my deliverer : do not tarry, O my God.

Psalm 40:12 – 14

You are the Lord; do not withhold your compassion from me : let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,

for innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see : they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me : O Lord, make haste to help me.

You are my helper and my deliverer : do not tarry, O my God.

2 Kings 25:8 – 12, 22 – 26 James 5:7 – 12

You are my helper and my deliverer : do not tarry, O my God.

Andy Raine of the Northumbria Community has written, “Do not hurry as you walk with grief; it does not help the journey. Walk slowly, pausing often: do not hurry as you walk with grief. Be not disturbed by memories that come unbidden. Swiftly forgive; and let Christ speak for you unspoken words. Unfinished conversation will be resolved in him. Be not disturbed. Be gentle with the one who walks with grief. If it is you, be gentle with yourself. Swiftly forgive; walk slowly, pausing often. Take time, be gentle as you walk with grief.”

Prayers for Others

Our Father

Lord, as the seasons turn, creation teaches us of grief, patience, and renewal. Make us good students of these rhythms that we might not hurry the work of grief but receive the gift of your presence in our time of need. 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.