Day 17
Call to Prayer
Lord, I am distracted. Help me to listen.
Lord, I am in a hurry. Slow me down.
Lord, I don’t know what to pray. Give me the words.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
Silence
Psalm 105:1–6
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
Read Acts 6:8-15
Prayer of Response
God, remind us now that your Spirit is in us, and that we are full of grace and power. When we are mocked, your favor remains. When falsely accused, our justification is sure. Christ is our confidence and hope. Today, because of him, we can go into the world. We can speak. We can know that our security rests, not in the work of our hands or in our fame but in the reality that we are your children. Grant us grace today, O God. Amen.
Prayers of Supplication
For your enemies
For the faithful witness of Christians in Lexington
Prayer for Our Enemies
God, give me creativity to bless those who hurt me. Show me how I may give good things to those who intend my harm. They would seek to kill; let me give life in exchange. I understand this comes with a cost, that this is not a free transaction. I am willing to pay the price in full. Give me the resources of divine love, that I may cause the transaction to go through fully, dear Lord. It is a blessing to know persecution, as it draws me closer to you. And so I pray, dear Lord, a prayer of thanksgiving for my enemies, for they have given me a great glimpse of your love. Without them, I would be left in ignorance. And so I thank you for them. This is a good place to start. Let my love be like a lighthouse for them at sea. Shine so brilliantly through me, Lord, that they cannot help but be drawn to the beams of your Spirit calling them home. Call them home through me, dear Lord, that you might receive glory, honor, and praise. As my heart bears the scars of their wounds, help me to shine more brilliantly. Through the fog, through the storm, through the terrors of the night, bring them home through me, Lord, and the radiance of your love. I grant them unconditional love, for your name’s sake, Jesus. Amen.
from “Canyon Road: A Book of Prayer” by Kari Kristina Reeves
