Author: Robin.Kyd

Lord, we thank you for sending us your son. We thank you for the people who brought each one of us to you: for those who have taken time with us in so many ways, encouraged us in bad times as well as in good times. We thank you and pray for an opportunity to do the same whenever and wherever we can in Jesus’ name.

Amen

We thank you, God, that Jesus identified with us by being baptised himself.
He didn’t need to, but he wanted to.
We thank you that John did as Jesus asked, even though he didn’t really understand.
And then the Spirit came and revealed Him to us.
Today, we too come to the river praying with longing and open hearts.
Come to us, loving God, so we too can receive your spirit.

Amen

God of all places and people, you bow towards us,
listening, attentive; knowing the language of our hearts,
for your ear is tuned to our silences.

We pray that in the year ahead
we may grow as a community
both in grace and in deeper appreciation
of each other.

Amen

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of Mary: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honour and glory, now and for ever.

Amen

Once we were no community at all –
a wandering collection of outsider people,
stateless and homeless, nameless and hopeless,
then, Lord of Salvation, you gathered us in
round a child from a manger to claim us, each one:
a unified nation of witnessing voices
joined up with heaven in life’s New Song.
We come and adore.

Amen

Once we were no community at all –
a wandering collection of outsider people,
stateless and homeless, nameless and hopeless,
then, Lord of Salvation, you gathered us in
round a child from a manger to claim us, each one:
a unified nation of witnessing voices
joined up with heaven in life’s New Song.
We come and adore.

Amen

Who is it you grace with the angels’ song?
Could it possibly be me – the collector of
offended noses, wrinkled faces,
sideways glances full of disgust?
The sight and the sound of it pierces my heart:
‘This gift, this greatness wrapped up small
is for you – just for you.’
Come and adore!

Amen

Autumn’s splendour gives way to the dark:
creation lies waiting for the miracle to come.
The angels sang of it (most people ignored it):
there’s a king on the way to warm up the cold,
to fire up my spirit with blazing hope.
Come down from the high hills into the light.
The search is on – come and adore!

Amen

Lead us loving God; be our light in this season of darkness. Guide our feet to walk in paths of righteousness that we may illuminate the way for others and straighten the roads for Christ’s return in glory to rule with justice and mercy for ever and ever.

Amen

Thank you for being an unchanging God
in a changing world, a Light in the darkness,
a Gift in the midst of poverty.
Help us to be the first-fruits of your goodness
through what we do every day.

Amen

Let peace begin with us merciful Lord; let not our hearts harbour hatred for anyone.
Help us to endure all things through faith; foster hope in our innermost being,
and enable us to work for righteousness, peace and justice in your kingdom,
for the sake of Christ our Lord.

Amen

Eternal God, giver of love and peace,
you call your children to live together as one family.
Give us grace to learn your ways and do your will,
that we might bring justice and peace to all people,
in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen

Creator God, as we look around the conflicts in your world today, we are painfully aware that we constantly fail to seek your justice, and veer from the path of your righteousness. Look with compassion upon those of our brothers and sisters facing war, upheaval and disaster. Guide them and us along the path of life and make us champions for peace, truth, love and justice in your kingdom, though Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Living God, you created us all, and so we share a common parentage. Help us to see ourselves as one family. May ours be the ears that hear the cry of our brothers and sisters, the hands and feet that respond to the plight of the poor and the marginalised and the voice that broadcasts the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. For in you, we all find our purpose and meaning.

Amen

Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to reconcile the world to yourself: We praise and bless you for those whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you that in all parts of the earth a community of love has been gathered together by their prayers and labours, and that in every place your servants call upon your Name; for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours for ever.

Amen