Daily Prayers Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Good morning, Cornerstone Friends.

As I sit to prepare our devotions for today, the sun is pouring in through the windows, the sky is blue and it feels deliciously warm.

Let us start by reaffirming our faith in our ever loving God.

We believe in God
Whose love is the source of all life
And the desire of our lives,
Whose love was given a human face
In Jesus of Nazareth,
Whose love was crucified by the evil
That waits to enslave us all
And whose love, defeating even death,
Is our glorious promise of freedom.
Therefore, though we are sometimes fearful
And full of doubt,
In God we trust;
And, in the name of Jesus Christ,
We commit ourselves, in the service of others,
To seek justice and to live in peace,
To care for the earth
And to share the commonwealth
Of God’s goodness,
To live in the freedom of forgiveness
And the power of the spirit of love,
And in the company of the faithful
So to be the church,
For the glory of God.
Amen
(Iona)

Our reading for today is the Iona version of part of Psalm 119.

Though the powerful oppress me without any cause, my heart bows to your words alone. I take delight in your promises, O God, like someone who gathers rich treasure. Falsehood I hate and detest, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your just decrees. Peace is the reward of those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. I keep your precepts and commands, for my whole life is open before you. Let my cry reach you, O God; that I may understand your word, Let my pleading reach you; that I may be saved by your promise. Let my lips proclaim your praise, because you teach me your statutes. Let my tongue sing your praises, for your commandments are justice itself. Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O God; your law is my delight. Let me live to praise you; let your decrees be my help. I have strayed like a lost sheep, but I have not forgotten your commands. Come, seek out your servant.

Now for our prayers for others.

It is in the mystery of communion with Christ that we pray for the Church throughout the world, praying in particular for all those many many Christians who don’t have freedom to worship as we do, for so many whose churches have been closed due to war, conflict and violent weather. Please help us to appreciate all that we have and so often take for granted.
Amen

We pray for the people and communities of faith from whom we have come. We pray with great gratitude for all those who have helped us along the path of faith. For family members, friends, neighbours and church communities wherever we have been. We pray for them all that they may continue to keep the faith and nurture others.
Amen

We pray for the sick, the bereaved, the oppressed and the homeless, praying in particular for all those whom we know are sick at this time. May they and their loved ones feel you close to them and find comfort in the hope that the risen Christ gives us. We bring before you Margaret Horner’s daughters, Kathryn and Ruth, and all the family, as they miss her and make arrangements for her funeral. And help us to play our part in supporting those who are oppressed and homeless, whether it is by prayer, money or hands on care,
Amen

We pray for the broken and torn fabric of the earth as it yearns for healing, praying in particular for governments worldwide that they may keep issues to do with the environment at the forefront of their minds and actions. We pray for our community at the Cornerstone as we work towards becoming an Eco Church and gaining Gold Award status by 2030 at the latest.
Amen

To finish today the words of a bright, uplifting song.

Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure,
unfolding in beauty the green-growing tree,
the changing of seasons in mountain and valley
the stars and the bright restless sea.

Oh the life of the world is a fountain of goodness
overflowing in labour and passion and pain,
in the sound of the city and the silence of wisdom,
in the birth of a child once again.

Oh the life of the world is the source of our healing.
It rises in laughter and wells up in song;
it springs from the care of the poor and the broken
and refreshes where justice is strong.

So give thanks for the life and give love to the Maker
and rejoice in the gift of the bright risen Son.
And walk in the peace and the power of the Spirit
till the days of our living are done.

Have a very blessed day, Cornerstone Friends.

Rosemary Goldie