Evening Prayer Thursday, 27 August 2020
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
13 Everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
‘Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’
15 Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5: 1–2, 8–10 & 15–20 NIV®
Dear Lord and Father of us all, we thank you for the love that you have shown to us,
and the love of your own dear Son, Jesus Christ, who gave us his all.
Grant us that we may live a life of love: loving others as you love us.
Give us the desire and willingness to reach out to all those around us,
offering them whatever loving care we can.
Show us, we pray, what pleases you, and how to show our love for others.
Open our eyes to see the needs of our neighbours
and all the people we meet as we go about our business.
We ask that your Church of Christ the Cornerstone may show your love
to the whole people of Milton Keynes: a beacon of your light, shining into the darkest corners.
Grant us, too, the wisdom to live a life of loving service and care,
so that, through our words and deeds, your love is known to all about us.
Help us to make the most of every opportunity to challenge the evil in our society,
and to strive for peace and justice for all.
We ask your blessing on all the work of Cornerstone members to further social justice;
make us an outward-looking Church,
striving always to take the message of your kingdom to all those outside the Church.
While we are planning to resume worshipping together in our church building,
speaking to one another in words of the Spirit, and thanking you for everything,
we ask that we may take the opportunity to encourage one another to reach out
to those outside our fellowship, to reinvigorate our mission to the people of Milton Keynes.
As we come to the end of another day, we reflect on all the opportunities
we have had today, to spread your love about us. Forgive us for the missed opportunities
and give us the determination to do better in the days ahead.
We close our prayers this evening by saying the Grace together:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, evermore.
Amen
