I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

A Prayer for Comfort--March 16, 2020


Lord Jesus, many have the feeling
that the present form of our world
is passing away in this pandemic.

We fear to see the suffering
of parents for their children.

As you once laid your hand
on a small child to heal her,
today we pray for healing.

Let your steadfast love
become our comfort.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 119:73-80; 145; 121; 6
Gen. 44:18-34
1 Cor. 7:25-31
Mark 5:21-43

Selected Verses
Ps. 119:76
Let your steadfast love become my comfort
          according to your promise to your servant.

Gen. 44:34b
“…I fear to see the suffering that would come upon my father.”  [Judah, to Joseph (whom he does not recognize as his brother)]

1 Cor. 7:31b
For the present form of this world is passing away.

Mark 5:22-23
Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw [Jesus], fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death.  Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”

Posted by Elmer E. Ewing

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)