Daily Devotions
Meditation, Prayers, and Assorted Stuff for April 3, 2020
Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, “The Importance of Receiving”
Receiving is often harder than giving. Giving is very important: giving insight, giving hope, giving courage, giving advice, giving support, giving money, and most of all, giving ourselves. Without giving there is no brotherhood and sisterhood.
But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to the givers that they have gifts to offer. When we say, “Thank you, you gave me hope; thank you, you gave me a reason to live; thank you, you allowed me to realize my dream,” we make givers aware of their unique and precious gifts. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts.
Today’s prayers come from the World Vision website.
Prayer for People Infected With COVID-19 or Facing Quarantine
Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need Your loving touch because of COVID19. May they feel Your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.
Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.
Prayer for Medical Professionals, Caregivers, And Researchers
God, as more people get sick, healthcare workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new coronavirus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job.
Inspire and invigorate the research doctors developing better tests to diagnose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the disease’s spread.
Prayer for Families Adjusting to New Ways of Life
Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as businesses and schools close, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Give spouses grace for each other. Prompt wornout parents to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help children find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning.
Our first cartoon comes from one of the contextual education supervisors at Eden Seminary. As for the other, from Non Sequitur, is it just me, or are we all a bit paranoid about coughs and sneezes these days?
Today’s links!
Our first link today comes courtesy of Jennifer (Archer) Yearian, and features a “Sound of Music” remake appropriate for these COVID days.
A business man (Harvey Korman) brings in his grandfather clock for a repair and is in a hurry to get back to work… unfortunately for him, The Oldest Man as the clock repairman (Tim Conway) is never in a hurry….
While I’m going all vintage on you, how about a clip from The Johnny Carson show where Buddy Hackett tells three jokes about farmers and animals?
Here’s a must see for all of you—the winners of a Canadian frozen hair contest!
And, finally, just for today, HBO is making hundreds of hours of content free on HBO Go and HBO Now (either in the app, or just streaming on the site) without need for a subscription. I don’t usually run commercials here, but on the outside chance you’re watching more TV than usual, you might want to check it out.
Stay safe and stay well!