Daily Prayers Friday, 5 August 2022
Good morning, everyone.
Welcome to our Friday prayers.
Early last week, we were lucky enough to go to the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford, where we attended a performance of Haydn’s oratorio, ‘The Creation’. Performed by the choirs of Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford Cathedrals, this was a truly uplifting experience.
It is true that we can worship God wherever we may be, but to my mind there is no doubt that some experiences awaken our senses to appreciate more of who God is and more of God’s gifts to us.
Wherever you may be now, I hope that it is a place where you are able to feel God’s presence with you, as we spend some time together in prayer. Let’s begin by listening to a short song, to help us focus on God.
Loving God, thank you that your care and guidance is available whenever we turn to you; that you are always with us, wherever we go, whatever we do.We pray that we will always be mindful of this. We ask you to prompt us to look to you even when we feel confident to go off on our own, because that may be when we need you to guide us or hold us back.
May we learn to trust you, to depend on you and to share your love with others.
Today, we pray especially for those who are facing special challenges in their lives.
We remember those whose pain and suffering tarnish their vision of your world.
Gracious God, touch their lives so that they may feel the warmth of your presence with them.
We remember those who are trapped in places of war and live daily in fear of their lives and that of their families.
Gracious God, touch their lives so that they may feel the warmth of your presence with them.
We remember children whose childhood is scarred by poverty or fear.
Gracious God, touch their lives so that they may feel the warmth of your presence with them.
We remember all who have been bereaved, especially those for whom even sunny days are bleak and empty because the whole of their world has been turned upside down by the loss they have suffered.
Gracious God, touch their lives so that they may feel the warmth of your presence with them.
Remembering that you, our God, are the Father of us all – whoever we are and wherever we may be, let us say The Lord’s Prayer together:
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, let us bless one another by saying The Grace:
May the Grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore.
Rosemary Kearsey
