AUGUST 23, 2020 ORANGETHORPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) PASTORAL PRAYER MOST GRACIOUS AND LOVING GOD WE HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE YOU TODAY ASKING THAT YOU LOOK UPON US WITH MERCY AND HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE TO BE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN THIS TIME OF PANDEMIC AND POLITICAL UPHEAVAL. HELP US TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF COMPASSION TO LOOK UPON ALL OF NEIGHBORS WITH THE HEART OF MERCY AS DID THE SAMARITAN ON THE ROAD. LET US NOT LAY BLAME UPON THE BLAMELESS. LET US NOT BE DRIVEN BY LIES THAT PROMISE TO EASE OUR OWN PERSONAL BURDENS. HELP US TO BE THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST WE PROMISED TO BE WHEN WERE TOOK ON THE MANTLE OF DISCIPLESHIP AT THE HOUR OF OUR BAPTISM. SPEAK TO US IN THAT STILL SMALL VOICE THAT DARED ELIJAH TO BE YOUR PROPHET. SPEAK TO US THROUGH THE WISDOM OF THOSE WHO SEEK TO HEAL US NOT BREAK US. ALL THIS WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF THE CHRIST. AMEN SERMON TITLE: "PHARAOHCHIOUS PARANOIA"