Morning Prayer Friday, 3 September 2021
Have you found some of the recent news broadcasts difficult to listen to, as I have? While our hearts may have been uplifted by the determination and achievements of those taking part in the Paralympic Games, nevertheless much of our news, especially some of the harrowing stories from Afghanistan, has brought feelings of shock, disappointment, or despair.
At times like this it is so reassuring to be able to sit quietly and bring all our concerns and cares to God. As the psalmist reminds us, God is in control and knows what the future holds for us. So I thought we would begin today’s prayer time by reading part of Psalm 35:
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendour of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
‘Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.’
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.
………
8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.
……….
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Let us pray:
Loving God, open our hearts and minds to hear your voice.
We bring all our anxieties, confusion and concerns to you.
Remind us that in your creation you took care of every detail
Help us to remember
- each of us matters to you
- you hurt when we hurt
- you rejoice when we feel happy and fulfilled
- you are saddened when we neglect you and neglect others.
Thank you for loving us.
Help us to show your love in our lives.
We look to you for strength when we feel weak and helpless:
We see violent and ruthless people riding roughshod over powerless people.
We pray now for people who may feel powerless, remembering especially those trapped in, or trying to escape from Afghanistan:
We remember all who are separated from those they love: migrants and asylum seekers, refugees and those in prison.
We pray for people who suffer the ravages of oppression, hunger, war, and any acts of violence.
Give insight and patience to those who look for solutions.
Give strength, courage and companionship to those who suffer or mourn.
Thank you for giving us strength when problems seem insurmountable.
And help us to show your love in our lives.
We look to you for comfort and understanding when we feel sad, lonely or afraid.
Draw near to those who suffer in body, mind or soul.
We remember especially members of our congregation who are ill and those who have been bereaved.
We pray,too, for all who are anxious about job security or who are unemployed, or whose hopes and plans have been dashed.
Thank you for always being there and giving us comfort when we need it.
Help us to show your love in our lives.
We pray for all who have visited our church this week to pray or looking for support, that they may have found some relief or refreshment.
We pray for ourselves, those known to us and those known only to you.
Show us what we can do – and show us when the best help we can give is just to be there for one another.
Help us to show your love in our lives.
We look to you for forgiveness and compassion when we feel guilty or ashamed.
We pray for those who work on our behalf for justice in trade. Strengthen and inspire them, as they continue to raise awareness and widen the opportunities for more of us to support their work.
We pray for ourselves as consumers. We know that if we make thoughtful choices, we can help to prevent exploitation and improve the chances of those who produce our food and make our clothes.
May we do our part to help redress imbalances in world trade which trap others in poverty. May we make wise choices, to help give dignity and respect to those who grow and make the things we buy and use.
Thank you for forgiving us when we stray from your path and for making your love known to us.
Help us to show your love in our lives.
We look to you for guidance when we feel lost and insecure
We pray for all who have far reaching decisions to make which affect the lives of others: that world leaders may be able to work together creatively and compassionately to find new solutions to the world’s major problems of conflict, famine and injustice.
We pray for our church, as we try to continue to be a loving, caring community and to become an oasis of hope. Strengthen us as your body. May we continue to support one another, especially those who are still unable to join us in worship in our church building.
May we listen to one another in a spirit of love, keeping our hearts and minds open to the guidance of your spirit.
Thank you that you offer us guidance when we listen carefully to you.
Help us to show your love in our lives.
We ask our prayers in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Now, let us say together the prayer which Jesus taught to his disciples:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
And now, you can click on the link below for the hymn ‘Father, I place into your hands, the things I cannot do.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBfRNrvvUfc
Rosemary Kearsey
