31st March 2020. Daily Devotion.

Good day everyone,

When I woke up this morning one of my first thoughts was, “What will I do today?” Usually that question is already mapped out for me, but in this lockdown period it is not so clear. Last night I was wondering what to write about today when a suggestion was made to me that we think about those young folks whose working lives have been disrupted and are concerned about making ends meet and feeding their families.
Then I came across these thoughts by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a meditation:

“After the first morning hour [of prayer], the Christian’s day until evening belongs to work. “People go out to their work and to their labour until the evening” (Ps. 104:23).

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23

Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands․ O prosper the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17”

It is not so easy to put these principles into practice by those who are laid off with bills to pay and children to feed and entertain at home. I can fill my day with lots of things to read, write and do about the house and garden. Many among us are pensioners who have already adjusted to filling their days without the worry of securing an income.

In our prayers, let us be grateful for what we have, and pray for those who are out there supplying supermarkets, keeping utilities flowing, the internet, television, news reporting, essential council services, transport, the NHS and all government departments. Many people must go out at risk to their health and safety; others work from home with all the adjustments involved. But think about, and pray specially for those who are locked down, laid off from work and who need to apply for government assistance which may be some time in arriving. Whatever else we do, make a time of prayer part of the work of each day. You may also think of practical ways to help, such as donations to food banks or other charities.

God our Father, our prayer is for those who cannot work today, laid off, furloughed or unwell with the added anxiety of limited resources. We name those whom we know and pray that you will undertake to provide for them in this difficult time. In Jesus’ compassionate love we pray. Amen.

Here are more prayers you may wish to use

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.

The Divine Physician

Dear Jesus, divine physician and healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. Oh, dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.

Trust in Jesus

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things. Amen.

Departed Souls

Lord, welcome into your calm and peaceful kingdom, those who have departed out of this present life to be with you. Grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just; and give them the life that shows no age, the reward that passes not away, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.