Thursday 12 January 2012

Lord of love, whatever we own may we reverence it for your glory, whatever we do may we undertake it for your sake and whatever we are may we live for your praise; through Christ our Lord. Amen

Hugh of Lincoln (1135-1200)

We pray for those starting out on the race of faith, excitedly looking forward to opportunities for witness and work; for those well experienced in tackling the course, knowing the thrills of going well and the disappointments of failure, that they may set an example of gratitude to God and reliance upon God, whether on the easy downhill runs or on the hard uphill climbs, in sunshine or in storm;
for those who, nearing the end, experience the difficulties of the race ahead through increasing frailty, limited activity and loss of independence, that they may not be neglected but continue to be honoured within and sustained by the family of the Church; may their knowledge and their wisdom enable those who follow them to tackle the course, inspired by their examples. Amen

Stephen Dawes and Ian Haile (Former Cornwall District Chairs)

 

Prayer for the Week

As we start this New Year help us move forward in hope and truth, reclaiming the wholeness of our lives through your forgiveness
(3 January 2012) 

 

God our Father,
in your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless our fathers,
that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that, their sons and daughters,
may honour them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN

God of welcome and freedom
welcome me - from my loneliness;
welcome me - despite my weakness;
welcome me - out of my fears.
God of welcome and freedom,
welcome me and set me free.
Amen.

Refining Spirit, purify our hearts,
clarify our vision, and cleanse our souls,
that we may come into your presence,
and worship you.

Reforming Spirit, remould our wills
amend our lives, rework us into your likeness,
that we may continue in your presence,
and know ourselves loved.

Transforming Spirit, convert our ways,
rekindle our faith, and remake our mission,
that we may live in your presence,
and be your people in the world.       Amen

God of Love,
in Jesus Christ you call to us
through the speaking and the silence
of those who are wounded and abused,
of those who live in poverty,
of those who have no home,
of those whose needs are ignored.
We live often with our hands over our ears,
but we know we are wrong.
Help us to have the courage to listen carefully to your voice.
Give us the grace to respond with resourcefulnes and respect to what we hear.
Amen.

Heavenly Father,
What a privilege to be called your children,   
for your loving parenthood - we worship you,  
for your salvation, poured into our hearts - we glorify you,
for your life-giving Spirit - we praise you,
for your calling us to serve you in this world  - we thank you,
for the hope we hold in your Son Christ Jesus' return - we magnify you.
For only you, and you alone are worthy of praise, worhsip and thanks today and for ever.
Amen.

 

Lord, I want to thank you for eyes that see,
eyes that see your wonderfull creation:
people from around the world, different in every way,
yet one in you.

Lord, I want to thank you for ears that hear,
ears that hear beautiful music from instruments of various kinds, bringing worship alive: different ways of worship, yet one in you.

Lord, I want to thank you for lips that praise you,
lips that praise you in different languages:
singing praises in different voices - yet one in you.

Lord, I want to thank you for making us wonderful - and different, yet always one in you.

May our hearts cherish the diversity in our cultures, languages and people, to learn, to love and to accept that though we are all different, yet we are one in you.
AMEN.

 

Heavenly Father give me peace as I remember your words.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Lord Jesus, help me to obey this your word.

Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
Lord Jesus, help me to obey this your word.

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteouness.
Lord Jesus, help me to obey this your word.

Judge not your fellow man lest you too be judged.
Lord Jesus, help me to obey this your word.
AMEN

Lord, help me to meet you throughout this week
in the one I share a joke with,
in the one who takes time to listen to my grumbles,
in the one I would rather avoid talking to,
in the one who needs a hand.
May I recognise you in all your children and act acordingly.
In Jesus' Name. 
AMEN.

 Heavenly Father
Give me the humility of a child to call for your help,
the honesty of a child to ask for what I truly desire,
the trust of a child to have faith in Your promises,
and the love of a child to reach out to You without fear.

AMEN