First Steps – January 13, 2020

In times of anxiety, peace is worth its weight in gold.  After a very contentious meeting, a friend of mine prayed this prayer:

Lord of the 23rd Psalm,
I have known death,
and you have refreshed my soul.
I have known fear, 
and you have comforted me.
I have known hunger, 
and you have set a feast before me.
In the darkest valley
no calamity of humankind or nature has separated us.

Teach me to walk as you walk
besides those in mourning
so that they will know joy,
besides those in fear
that they will know comfort,
besides those in hunger
that they will feast until their cup overflows.

As your goodness and love follow me,
may mine follow my neighbor
that the threat of the worst terrors
may turn to the knowledge of the comforts of
the house of the Lord,
where you have invited us to dwell forever.

And so let me strive to help build on earth
what you have promised us in heaven.
In the face of all calamity, present and yet to come,
let me lead my neighbor beside quiet waters,
the quiet waters of the Good Shepherd.  Amen.

As you begin this week, maybe a week filled with anxiety, pray this prayer.  If not, pray it nonetheless.  


This week’s reading:
Monday –  Matthew 28
Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1
Wednesday – 1 Thessalonians 2
Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 3
Friday – 1 Thessalonians 4

Please Pray for:.
The St. Paul UMC family.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
Those who are grieving and depressed.
The United Methodist Church.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.

Please Pray for:.

  • The Ministers and St. Paul UMC family.
  • Those who are unwillingly absent.
  • Those who are grieving and depressed.
  • The United Methodist Church.
  • Our nation and our leaders.
  • The World.
  • The Lost.