Daily Prayers Friday, 12 November 2021

Good morning on this final day of the Glasgow climate summit – COP 26. Let’s begin our day in praise for God’s creation and our place in it.

Shout to the Lord for all his goodness to me! God grants me rest in darkness and excitement in daylight, filling my experience with colour, sound, taste and touch and the fragrance of this fresh new day. May I live today in the forgiveness of Jesus and the warmth of the Spirit, ready to share these marvellous gifts with everyone I meet, everyone I serve today.
AMEN

Cornerstone Church members have been a small part of the chorus urging action on the climate through the Coat of Hopes. Our small patch is part of the many hopes expressed in stitch which walked to Glasgow from Newlyn and is even now being shared across that city. It is a small thing for us to give but a strong sign that we are part of this creation we must all strive to save. No contribution is too small, no faith in God’s salvation is too weak, to make a difference.

Here is our patch contributed to the Coat of Hopes and here is MP Caroline Lucas wearing the coat. If you can enlarge the photo, you’ll see our patch just below her right hand.

On this last day of the conference delegates, politicians and all those calling from outside the room will be pressing for adoption of their own points of view within the final communique. It is so obvious that no single people or nation or movement can achieve safety on their own but only through making common cause.

Living God, we thank you for your joyous creation: you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of creatures. We acknowledge and embrace the responsibilities you have placed upon us as stewards and guardians of creation. May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COP 26 as they seek to embrace the changes needed for humankind to sustain a healthy climate, a healthy society. Instil in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions for the poorest and most vulnerable and commit their nations to the care of Our Common Home. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Taking our direction and protection from our creator, saviour and preserver of life, we can make a difference to the world around us, right here in Milton Keynes. It’s hard to hide from the world when the cross and high dome shout of our presence.

O Lord our Saviour, help us to help this city, which is our home. May our Cornerstone cross be a beacon of hope for the city centre. May our wide doors be always open and welcoming. May our people lead by example to do all we can to renew, protect and preserve this good earth, now and for generations still to come.
AMEN

Now as we set off on this autumn morning 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.

AMEN

Cheryl Montgomery