Evening Prayer Friday, 30 October 2020

by Robin.Kyd · 30 October 2020

Loving God, as the sun sets again at the end of another week, we thank you for all your blessings to us.
We thank you for friends and family members who support us, all those we have the privilege of spending time with,
or offering our help and support to, all those who bring us companionship.

Let us pause to name each one who has crossed our path this week – in person, on the telephone, or through some other contact.

We pray for each of these people. We ask you to bless them with the knowledge of your love and support.
We pray for people who feel lonely at this time, that they may receive support from friends and be upheld by you.
We pray for those who are disheartened or anxious because the virus has not gone away,
and there is no sign at present of a return to life as we used to know it.

O God, where hearts are fearful and limited:
Grant freedom and daring.
Where anxiety is infectious and widening:
Grant peace and reassurance.
Where impossibilities close every door and window:
Grant imagination and resistance.
Where distrust reshapes every understanding:
Grant healing and transformation.
Where spirits are daunted and dimmed:
Grant soaring wings strengthened dreams.

We thank you, Loving God, for wise people, who remind us to accept others just as they are.
We remember that Jesus accepted the leper, the outcast, Samaritans
and all who were rejected by society in his time.
Help us always to follow his example and not judge others,
but see each person as precious in your sight.

Loving God, we remember now all who are in the sunset of their years.
If we look at the beauty of the sunset, it reminds us that still, in later years,
life can have many joys and offer much to other people.

We pray for all who are sick or grieving at this time.
Be with them, comfort and sustain them.
May they feel your presence and respond to your love shown through the lives of those around them.

We thank you that, through praying together, we are brought closer to one another, as well as to you.
And so, we complete our prayers this evening by saying together the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples.
Then we listen to an evening hymn.

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.