The United Methodist Church Prays of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 4 October 2017 "All Things Unto Him"

The United Methodist Church Prays of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Wednesday, 4 October 2017 "All Things Unto Him"

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017
Today, as we grief for Las Vegas, we turn to the Psalms for comfort.
As We Grieve with Las Vegas, We Turn to the Psalms
Beth A. Richardson

Sometimes there are no words to express the depths of our sorrow and despair. In those times, we turn to the Psalms and to those writers who spoke the deepest concerns of humanity.
I cry out loud to God—
out loud to God so that he can hear me!
During the day when I’m in trouble I look for my Lord.
At night my hands are still outstretched and don’t grow numb;
my whole being refuses to be comforted.
I remember God and I moan.
I complain, and my spirit grows tired. (Psalm 77:1-3, CEB)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4, CEB)
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Should I fear anyone?
The Lord is a fortress protecting my life.
Should I be frightened of anything? (Psalm 27:1, CEB)The Lord is a safe place for the oppressed—
a safe place in difficult times. (Psalm 7:9, CEB)
Join us in prayer today. Visit The Upper Room Living Prayer Center.
If you are in the Nashville area, join Upper Room staff as we pray for the world at 3:oo pm in The Upper Room Chapel.
And, as we pray for the Commission on the Way Forward and our church, we consider the works of John and Charles Wesley:
A Word from John Wesley
Q. But may we not continue in peace and joy till we are perfected in love?
A. Certainly we may; for the kingdom of God is not divided against itself; therefore, let not believers be discouraged from “rejoicing in the Lord always.” And yet we may be sensibly pained at the sinful nature that still remains in us. It is good for us to have a piercing sense of this, and a vehement desire to be delivered from it. But this should only incite us the more zealously to fly every moment to our strong Helper; the more earnestly to “press forward to the mark, the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.” And when the sense of our sin most abounds, the sense of His love should much more abound. (John Wesley, The Character of a Methodist, ¶19.)
A Hymn from Charles Wesley
1. Summoned my labour to renew,
And glad to act my part,
Lord, in thy name my work I do,
And with a single heart.
2. End of my every action thou,
In all things thee I see;
Accept my hallowed labour now;
I do it unto thee.
3. Whate’er the Father views as thine
He views with gracious eyes;
Jesu, this mean oblation join
To thy great sacrifice. (Collection-1781, #312: 1-3)
Questions for Reflection:

1. In John Wesley’s description of the character of a Methodist, he wants us to see that everything described in the Bible can be experienced here and now-today. What does this mean to you?
2. What is the meaning of Charles Wesley’s hymn? What is your response to it?
3. Today, give three or four minutes to meditate on Charles Wesley’s hymn. In what ways can we “do it unto thee.”

Prayer
Welcoming God, you receive and bless all who come to you in humility. Show us our false pride, that we may repent of all conceit and arrogance and, caring for one another, may honor Jesus to the glory of your name. Amen.

The Wesley excerpts are from A Disciple’s Journal—2017: A Guide for Daily Prayer, Bible Reading, and Discipleship, by Steven W. Manskar. Copyright © 2017 Discipleship Resources, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The prayer is reprinted with permission from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002, Consultation on Common Texts.

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