Day 90: An Ancient Prayer for a Current Pandemic

DAY 90

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK THIRTEEN: FRIDAY 12 JUNE 2020

An Ancient Prayer for a Current Pandemic

St. Francis of Assisi 1181-1226

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred, let me sow love

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt, faith

Where there is despair, hope

Where there is darkness, light

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may

Not so much seek to be consoled as to console

To be understood, as to understand

To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive

And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned

And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Francis was born into a family of wealth. Given to all sorts of sinful behavior, he was headed to fight in the Crusades when God spoke to him in a dream, the first of several experiences on his journey of conversion, in which his heart and his life were turned around. One day, while praying in a church, he heard Christ speak to him from the crucifix saying “Francis, repair my church.” He soon renounced his father and his inheritance. While never a priest, he began to attract followers to his simple rules for living which became the foundation for the Franciscans: (1) the rich young ruler told to sell everything and give to the poor; (2) the apostles told to take nothing on their journey; (3) and the command to take up the cross daily. Within 10 years he had 5,000 followers.  Franciscans, in the order he founded, are engaged in ministry around the world today and his prayer to this day has been popular with Christians from all parts of the Body of Christ.

Reflective question: During this pandemic, which of Francis’ petitions do those around you need you to embrace?

Reflective Scripture: Luke 9:23 – “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Reflective hymn:

“Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” – Henry Lyte (1793-1847)

Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee;

Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.

Perish every fond ambition, all I sought, and hoped and known;

Yet how rich is my condition. God and heav’n are still my own.

Pax Pres and Me CLASS

“Pax Pres and Me”

New Members/Inquirers Class 

begins November 3rd

Pastor Ben Garris will lead the next New Members/Inquirers class beginning Sunday, November 3rd during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:40 a.m.). The class will meet for 4 weeks and conclude with a luncheon on November 24th. Nursery care is available for those under the age of three.  A description of the weekly meetings is as follows:

Week One (November 3rd): Examine in basic terms what it means to be a Christian – to profess Christ as Lord and Savior. Discussion centers around Romans 6:23:  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Pastor Ben will also share how he came to faith in Christ and how he sensed his call to ministry.

Week Two (November 10th): The formation of the early church and the divide called the Protestant Reformation which still defines us today. As history has a way of repeating itself, we spend some time looking at the issues that brought about the Protestant Reformation and way the reformers sought to redefine beliefs and practices of the church. Included in this is also a discussion on the meaning of the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

Week Three (November 17th): The history and make-up of our denomination as well as this congregation - from its founding to its move to this current location to various aspects of ministry here. We talk about the central role that small groups play in the ministry here and for our faith individually. We talk about what it means to be a member of Patuxent Presbyterian Church.

Week Four (November 24th): We gather for a luncheon where interested new members meet with the church officers, hear about their areas of involvement and how each member may fit in. Those desiring to become a member will have the chance to stand and affirm or re-affirm their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

If you are interested in attending, please sign up in the Narthex 
or CLICK HERE and select: "Join a Group."

For specific questions about membership, please contact Pastor Ben at: pastorben@paxpres.org.