Evening Prayers Thursday, 6 August 2020
A reading from Mark’s Gospel
The Transfiguration
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’
Mark 9: 2–7 NIV®
Dear God, like Peter, James and John,
we seek to be with Jesus in high places,
where we can commune with you
away from the distractions of our everyday life.
But you are calling us, when we have received spiritual refreshment,
to come down from the mountain,
and be your helpers in the everyday life of our community.
Help us, when we are confused like Peter,
not to pursue displacement activities,
but focus on the tasks you set before us.
During this time when we are unable to come to the house we have built for you,
may we learn that you do not ask us to build shelters for you.
We are a pilgrim Church, and you are our leader,
leading us on the journey of life.
Once he had left his parent’s home,
Jesus had no home of his own,
and now his home is within every one of his disciples.
Cornerstone was built as a centre for our community,
a base from which to sortie out into the world,
taking the message of your kingdom and delivering it to all we meet.
From the cloud at the Transfiguration, your voice instructed the disciples,
including us, to listen to your Son, Jesus Christ.
This is what our prayer should be: listening to Jesus:
this is what our Bible study is about: hearing the Word of the Lord,
loud and clear, or a whispered hush.
But when we have listened, we must act on what you are telling us.
Now we prepare for a peaceful night’s rest,
and we pray that you will speak to us throughout silence of the night.
We close our prayers this evening by saying the Grace together:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, evermore.
Amen
Pat and Robin Kyd
