29th. July. 2022.Daily Devotions.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20
I once worked with a team of volunteers building a water system in a community in Honduras. The terrain was rocky, the climate was dry, and clean water was scarce. Women and girls in this area spent huge amounts of time and energy hauling water over great distances for cooking and drinking. Having a water system would make life easier and lead to better health.
Early one morning we encountered Georgina, a woman from a neighboring village who had heard about the water project. She was on fire, a force of nature! Insistently, passionately, barely pausing for breath, she told us about her community and how their well had dried up. She had been praying fervently for water, she said, and now she believed God was answering her prayers by leading her to us. Her conviction and energy were impressive. There was no way she would take no for an answer. That day we visited her village and explained that getting water involved a lengthy and challenging process. Nothing fazed Georgina, though—and, sure enough, God answered her prayers. A year later, she and her neighbours had fresh water on tap.
It is sometimes said that it takes a village to raise a child. It could also be said that it takes a woman, like Georgina, to raise a village. Roy Berkenbosch.
Lord, thank you for people like Georgina who trust you profoundly and serve their communities with great energy. Bless women everywhere who overcome great odds to build up their communities in Christ. Amen.
Prayer for the Morning
The night has passed, the sun shines its light upon us, and the day lies open before me. As I rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence fill me with love for you and my fellow man, holy God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Abide with me, I pray, now and forever. Amen.
Defend us, O Lord, with your heavenly grace, that we may continue yours for ever and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until we come to your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Book of Common Prayer (1552)
Gracious and loving God, thank you for staying close to us in all that we have experienced in recent times. As your holy people, we ask you to strengthen us with wisdom and understanding as we look forward to the new opportunities you will share with us. Encourage us to offer rich hospitality: to recognise the individual, welcome the stranger and offer a community of love to all. Amen.
Intercessions for Peace
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the leaders of the nations, that you will guide them in the ways of freedom, justice, and truth. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
We pray for those who bear arms on behalf of the nation, that they may have discipline and discernment, courage, and compassion. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
We pray for our enemies, and those who wish us harm, that you will turn the hearts of all to kindness and friendship. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
We pray for the wounded and the captive, the grieving and the homeless, that in all their trials they may know your love and support. Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.
Most holy God and Father, hear our prayers for all who strive for peace and all who fight for justice. Help us, who today remember the cost of war, to work for a better tomorrow; and, as we commend to you lives lost in terror and conflict, bring us all, in the end, to the peace of your presence; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Church England Worship Texts.
