A Devotion for Monday, May 11, 2020
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 102:1-17 (NRSV)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
let my cry come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call.
3 For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
4 My heart is stricken and withered like grass;
I am too wasted to eat my bread.
5 Because of my loud groaning
my bones cling to my skin.
6 I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a little owl of the waste places.
7 I lie awake;
I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who deride me use my name for a curse.
9 For I eat ashes like bread,
and mingle tears with my drink,
10 because of your indignation and anger;
for you have lifted me up and thrown me aside.
11 My days are like an evening shadow;
I wither away like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
your name endures to all generations.
13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
for it is time to favor it; the appointed time has come.
14 For your servants hold its stones dear,
and have pity on its dust.
15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord,
and all the kings of the earth your glory.
16 For the Lord will build up Zion;
he will appear in his glory.
17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and will not despise their prayer.
Thoughts from “The Word in Season”
The Prayer of the Destitute
“He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.”
On a typical say billions of people are praying. More than a million Muslims pray every day, five times a day. Millions of Jews pray every morning and evening. Countless priests and nuns, bishops and cardinals pray daily as well. And in many congregations a prayer chain of people pray and pass on prayer requests. All across the globe, people are praying to God at all times.
In this psalm the psalmist lifted up not the prayer of the righteous or the religious but the prayer of the destitute. Their prayer God “will not despise.”
God calls us to remember those who are destitute. In this moment there are Syrian refugees praying for a home. There are Haitian children praying for a meal. There are migrants at the US border praying for safety. These and others like them are the destitute. These are the ones God refuses to despise, for God’s heart abides with them.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, join my prayers with those of the destitute so that justice might come upon the earth. Amen.
Prayer Concern: Syrian Refugees
Hymn for Reflection:
“Blest are They” (ELW #728, WOV #764)
Blest are they, the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, full of sorrow; they shall be consoled.
Refrain:
Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you. Holy are you!
Rejoice and be glad! Your is the kingdom of God!
Blest are the, the lowly ones; they shall inherit the earth.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst; they shall have their fill. Refrain
Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are they, the pure of heart; they shall see God. Refrain
Blest are they who seek peace; they are the children of God.
Blest are they who suffer in faith; the glory of God is theirs. Refrain
Blest are you who suffer hate, all because of me.
Rejoice, be glad, yours is the kingdom; shine for all to see. Refrain
If you would like to borrow an ELW or a WOV hymnal (or both) during this time of sheltering in place, you may pick one up in the narthex on the table to the right as you come in. They have been sanitized for you protection.
Please put your name on the check-out list so we can remind you to bring it/them back when we are able to resume worship in the sanctuary. Also, please sanitize them before you bring them back.
“May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
– Psalms 115:15 (NRSV)
Blessings & Peace,
Pastor Wayne
Want to do something positive in this uncertain, anxious time?
Write an encouraging card, note or letter
for one of our shut-ins (Ken Bechtler, Myrtle Danielson, Helen Randall and Barb Morphew) which can be brought to church for delivery (place in the basket in the breezeway).
Or, make some cheerful, simple artwork –
for others and for yourself – that can be put in a window to cheer you up, and those who may see it in your neighborhood.
Do you Quilt?
How about making Masks out of quilting fabric? It’s supposed to be one of the best fabrics to use, and there are patterns online to make them.
Write a Devotion
to post here and share with others, something encouraging or inspirational.
Perhaps it could be a remembrance or experience of God’s faithfulness or love at work in your life.
Pray …
For those affected in any way by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially Felicity Luthanen who has tested positive.
For our congregation in this time of separation, that we would yet be held together.
What about a Sign Campaign?
Would we want to make simple roadside signs – from the people of Messiah – indicating prayers and support for medical, food, pharmacy, and other essential service workers (especially “on the front lines”)? What do you think? Could be a visible way of “sharing the love of Christ” in this time.
Have another idea? Let me know, and I will share it here!