Morning Prayer Tuesday, 28 September 2021

This morning, as we greet and embrace this glorious day that the Lord has made let us begin our prayers by meditating on the words of this beautiful song by Mitchell Hugh:

Thy loving kindness is better than life
Thy loving kindness is better than life
My lips shall praise thee, thus still I bless thee
I will lift up my hands unto thy name

I lift my hands up unto thy name
I lift my hands up unto thy name
My lips shall praise thee, thus still I bless thee
I will lift up my hands unto thy name

Thy loving kindness (thy loving kindness)
Is better than life (is better than life)
Thy loving kindness (thy loving kindness)
Is better than life (is better than life)

My lips shall praise thee (my lips shall praise thee)
Thus still I bless thee (thus still I bless thee)
I will lift up my hands unto thy name

I lift my hands up unto thy name
I lift my hands up unto thy name
My lips shall praise thee, thus still I bless thee
I will lift up my hands unto thy name

Let us open our hearts to Christ not only that we may be reminded of his love for us but that we can be filled with that love for others.

Dear Lord, everywhere I walk, let it be on your path. Everything I see, let it be through your eyes. Everything I do, let it be your will. Every hardship I face, let me place it in your hands. Every emotion I feel, let it be your spirit moving in me. Everything I seek, let me find it in your love.

Let us extend our hands to Christ and let him lead us in all that we do today.  May our eyes see what he sees. May our feet go to where we may not be willing to go but where Christ would gladly go because that is where people are in need.  May our hands be willing to do what he would do – to alleviate the suffering of his people.

As we begin to serve our Lord this day, let us take courage, that he remains on the throne and his spirit is with us and in the world.

We ask for your intervention in our own lives, in the lives of our loved ones and the world. We begin by remembering members of our fellowship at cornerstone who are suffering in mind, body or spirit.  We ask for healing, for comfort and your presence.  We remember those who care for them, particularly family who share their suffering – Lord we pray that your spirit will enfold them and make your presence to them real.  We are grateful for the medical staff who are caring for the sick and ask that in them, those who are suffering may see the eyes, hands and feet of Christ.

We remember so many people around the world who are in deep distress because of conflict.  We remember in particular those in Afghanistan who fear for their lives.  Lord be close to them.  We pray that your spirit will influence those that rule, those that instil fear in the hearts of many.  We ask, that you would move the governments of the world, to do what they can, to save lives and alleviate suffering.  Show us Lord, what we can do, today, to be part of the solution.

We remember the thousands of people who are being made homeless daily due to natural disasters as a result of climate change.  We are grateful for those on the frontline such as soldiers, fire fighters and medics.  We ask that you open all our eyes to the urgency of taking decisive and immediate action to halt the disasters that will only get worse and create more suffering. Open our eyes of faith, so we can believe that our small contribution will made a difference to the pace of climate change. Let us meditate on the words of David from Psalm 46 and offer it as a prayer of faith to God while we do what we can: …we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

We pray for our government, as they manage the current situation of the fuel crisis and the ongoing pandemic.

As we go out today, let us continue to meditate on the love of God.  Let us trust his word and know that it is a lamp unto our feet, day and night and a light unto our path.

Amen

Maggie Malama-Kean