Evening Prayer Friday, 24 April 2020

Good evening everyone.
I hope you have had a fruitful day and can find some blessings that you can reflect on as we prepare for the night ahead.

I have chosen a passage from St Luke this evening.
It seemed appropriate to reflect on the fact that,
however fearful we become because of the difficulties we are experiencing,
Jesus is there to support us,
and wants us to trust him to see us through the troubled times.

Jesus Calms the Storm

One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side of the lake.’ So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and  they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.’

Luke 8: 22–25

Let us pray:

Living Christ,
you are present with us in all times,
sharing the brightness of our joy
and walking with us through times of darkness.
You speak words of wisdom into our folly.
You speak words of reassurance into our fear.
You seek out those who are lost and looking for the way.

In these times of confusion, uncertainty and fearfulness,
we need your wisdom, your reassurance and your compassion.

Speak to all of us now: leaders, citizens, fearful residents,
those with a voice and those whose voices seem never to be heard.
We lay before you the life of our nation
and long for your gentle rule to be established amongst us.

As people feel fearful of what the future holds,
help us to look to you for strength and guidance.

We pray for all who are anxious – grant them your peace.

We pray for all who are sick – lay your healing hand on them.

We pray for all who mourn – comfort them, and bring peace to their hearts.

We pray for all who are burdened by guilt – help them to reach out for your forgiveness.

We pray for all who feel lonely – bring them the comfort of your presence.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen

So we conclude our time together by saying the Lord’s Prayer:

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.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen

I wish you all a pleasant evening and a restful night.

Rosemary Kearsey