Whoever works his land

will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows

   worthless pursuits

             lacks sense.

               Proverbs 12. 11

("All we have to decide

is what to do with the time

that is given us."

      --Gandalf

      in Fellowship of the Ring.

We have the blessing

              of unexpected time

    in these unusual times,

even as we shelter in place.

What are we going to do

             with this day?

Are we willing to follow God

             in it?

Not finding something

          to fill up these hours,

but letting God

fulfill and redeem each minute.

God provides through

   the hands and work

   of His anointed people,

strategically placed

    with divine appointments

to bless Him

and seek the welfare of others.

There is nothing too small,

       nothing insignificant,

done in the name of the LORD.)

O LORD,

It is not that we lay this day

          before You,

the things on our list,

the things "we will do for You."

But we come to before You,

            O Almighty God,

and You place Your day

        before us

and bid us to

     follow You into

     those divine appointments,

which may seem inconsequential

       but always profoundly eternal.

May the underlying patterns

           of Your sacred order

     unfold before us

and provide a way into our day.

Help us to be faithful to You

   in whatever You place before us.

Bring Your fruitfulness to it.

How can we minister to others

    and bless Your holy name today

for Your glory,

          even in this?