Daily Lesson for November 3, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Mark chapter 13 verses 32 through 37:

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

There is a saying, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

Today Jesus warns his followers to be awake, aware, alert, and vigilant, for their liberty was at stake. In some other ancient manuscripts of this text Jesus tells his disciples also to pray.

So here is my prayer list on this Election Day, 2020:

For fair and duly certified election processes for all states and citizens everywhere.

For the preservation of our democratic government and its related institutions -- including the executive, judicial, and congressional bodies and all related bodies formed for the purposes of justice, protection, conservation, and defense.

For those charged with upholding the rights and liberties of the people at every level of civil government.

For all citizens and residents -- and especially for the poor, the frail, the undocumented, the racially targeted, the immuno-compromised, and those within the LGBTQ community.

For protection against evil of every kind and enemies, both foreign and domestic.

For peace, civility, and the recognition of the rights and dignity of all peoples.

Let us be awake, aware, alert, and vigilant on this day and all the days to come. And let us also be prayerful. For eternal vigilance is the price of our liberty, and eternal prayer a mighty powerful force for the protection of our own souls and the soul of this nation.

NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 24.