Evening Prayer Thursday, 17 September 2020
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. …17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. … 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind towards each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 14: 13–14, 17–22, 15: 1–2 & 4–7 NIV®
Dear Lord and Father of us all, we are your rainbow people.
We each come with our own stories, our own background, culture, and family history.
Help us to cherish our differences, and learn from one another’s stories.
Teach us to listen to what others are telling us,
and learn from their experiences, however strange they may seem to us.
Let us be prepared to change the ways we do things, when they pose a problem to others.
With the current Covid-19 pandemic we have had to rethink many aspects of being your Church.
May we treat this as an opportunity to make long-lasting changes,
shedding the man-made traditions that get in the way of true discipleship.
We are learning new ways to do things as a church.
We ask your blessing on the Bible study sessions that will resume shortly,
albeit in a new way, taking advantage of telecommunication technology
to work, learn and share together while each in the safety of our own home.
At the same time, we must be mindful of those members of our church who,
for one reason or another, are not able to use the technologies by which we benefit.
We pray that we are ever mindful of these people, and do all we can to keep in fellowship with them.
Help us to recognise that being the city-centre church of Milton Keynes
is not a mere statement of where our building is located.
It means that we have to root our mission in the heart of our community,
we pray that our discipleship is centred in the life of our city,
sharing your love and taking your message to all those about us.
At this time we pray for all those who need your special care.
We pray for families whose loved ones are dying while they are unable to visit them.
Let them know, we pray, that you are with them, even in their darkest hour.
We thank you for all the care workers, doctors, nurses and hospice staff providing
selfless care for the sick and dying. We pray that you will care for them and protect them.
Finally we pray for ourselves, our families and friends.
Grant us a quiet and peaceful night, that we may awake refreshed,
ready to face the new day with all that it may bring with it.
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
