Courage to Help, Wisdom to Act, and Compassion to Love
Today’s Verse:
Galatians 6:2 ESV
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
In times of trouble — in our own neighborhoods or in a place like Washington, D.C. — it can be easy to feel powerless. Violence, fear, and division seem like problems too big for us to repair. But Saint Paul’s words assure us that the Church is never powerless. When we “bear one another’s burdens” we become Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
To bear one another’s burdens is to enter into each other’s stories — to listen and to pray, to help in whatever way we can. It may mean writing a letter of encouragement to someone living in a dangerous neighborhood, supporting ministries that offer safe space, or working for justice and peace. It always means remembering that we all belong to one body in Christ, no matter where we live.
Jesus Himself crossed the greatest divide — stepping down from heaven to bear our burdens, even our sin, on the cross. His resurrection assures us that no darkness is too deep for His light. We can enter into the struggles of others not with fear, but with the hope that Christ has already won the victory.
Let us pray for the people of D.C., for their safety, for wisdom for leaders, and for communities to be rebuilt in justice and peace. And let us also pray that God would open our eyes to the burdens we can lift in our own corner of the world.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You came to bear our burdens and give us life. Help us to see the needs of our neighbors near and far. Give us courage to help, wisdom to act, and compassion to love as You have loved us. Bless the people of Washington, D.C., and all who live in fear, that Your peace would guard their hearts. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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