Morning Prayer 2022 Day 60
And Peter said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection.
Affirming God,
The world is so eager to tell us why we are unclean, unworthy, and unwelcomed. We don’t make enough. We don’t look the part. We don’t live in the right places. We aren’t the right kind of faithful.
God the words of the world weigh us down, cripple our legs, back us into corners of negative self-talk loops. The mirrors we hold up to ourselves are scribbled with the hurtful words we allow ourselves to believe.
We cry out, how can a world created by you be so broken and toxic to each other, as if there is only so much love to go around that we must fight for it by tearing each other down.
As we open our hearts, our vulnerability, we are mindful that we have mastered feelings of shame and unworthiness. We have mastered lowering others to elevate ourselves. We have mastered allowing others to lower us. We sit alone, all in different corners of shame and unworthiness.
But God, you shattered what the world considered unclean - unworthy. You sent your disciples to those backed into the corners of shame. You sent Peter to Joppa. You sent a Jew to a Gentile.
You showed Peter that as a follower of Jesus he should not call anyone profane or unclean.
Oh Lord, we need those words right now.
There is enough love for all. There is enough grace. There is enough welcome. We need only recognize it, embrace it, and share it.
Take us by the hand. Lift us from our low places. Send us to each other with messages of welcome and affirmation. Show us just how worthy and welcomed we are…how worthy and welcomed each of your children are in your sight.
May we rise from our corners of shame and walk through this journey together. Help us rise.
Amen
Today’s Daily Scripture Reading
Daily Scripture readings are adapted from the upcoming readings as outlined by the Revised Common Lectionary. They reflect the New Revised Standard Version.