Daily Prayers Thursday, 24 March 2022

A reading from Psalm 32

¹ Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
  my bones wasted away
  through my groaning all day long.
[…]

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, ‘I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.’
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
⁷ You are my hiding-place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

[…]

¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Palms 32: 1–3, 5–7 & 11 NIV®

Dear Lord, we thank you that when we are honest with ourselves and with you,
and admit to all the wrongdoing and backsliding that we have done,
you are willing to forgive us and to help us do only what you will us to do and to be.
Bless us now and help us to follow your ways at all times.

We ask you to help us to find practical ways to offer a welcome to all those
who come to Milton Keynes, particularly, at this time, those who are refugees
from Ukraine, who have had to flee their homes in the face of terrible atrocities.
We pray that our government and the Home Office will respond to the wishes of
the many British people who want our country to be truly hospitable and generous
to those in such desperate need.

In our Lenten studies we have been thinking about how we as Christians
can recognise and acknowledge the worth, the skills and gifts of everyone
in our local community, including those on the margins,
and seek to break down the barriers of inequality and poverty
that prevent people fulfilling their potential and thereby building up their sense of self-worth.
We pray that through your Holy Spirit you will help us in our daily lives
to act towards our neighbours as people who are valued and gifted.

We gather these and all our prayers in the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples:

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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen

Robin & Pat Kyd