January 18-25, 2024
God of life, you have created us to have life and all its fullness. Help your wounded Church to be a source of hope and healing. As we follow Jesus’ way with determination, may we lead others to you. Lord, give us the grace to know you deeply and to love you entirely. May the gift of your Holy Spirit enable our eyes, ears, and minds to receive the unconditional love with which you love us. Purify our hearts so that we may always be ready to love our neighbor, however different from ourselves. Instill in us the courage to look beyond ourselves, see the neighbor in those different from ourselves, and be the unexpected neighbor who reaches out in compassion to truly follow Jesus Christ – our brother and our friend who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.
Based on reading the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), by Christians in Burkina Faso, many of whom cannot worship in public because of violence against them. Keep them also in your prayers. Thank you! (Courtesy of British-Irish Methodists)
Dr. Sam