Category: Prayers

Trees of Life

31st August 2024

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Proverbs 11:30a

Sovereign God, you are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading: As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

An acorn is a comical thing

with a little hat that could be a cup.

Its pointed tip – that could be its bottom – 

is not going to drill its way into the earth. 

It waits for the rook or the squirrel 

to snaffle it and bury it deep in the soil, 

where after hours of dark contemplation 

it will emerge as a slip of a thing, 

with rusty red leaves that unfold into green.

An oak’s life starts in a very small way.

Lord God, in small and even comical ways, 

let our faith grow. 

From small beginnings help us sow 

seeds that will transform your world.

A reading: I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. 

Isaiah 41:19-20

Rooted together in community, 

colonising land that might otherwise be void, 

trees are not loners. 

Companions they support each other, 

neighbours that support others, 

forming delicate ecosystems 

where life is in the balance. 

Lord God, let our faith 

create neighbours and communities.

Rooted in togetherness, 

may your kingdom come.

A Reading: He said, “Out of the eater came something to eat; Out of the strong came something sweet.” Three days later they had still not figured out what the riddle meant. Judges 14:14

Ancient oak, 

wrinkled and gnarled, 

gnawed at by time, 

even in death you provide safe lodging 

and sustenance for others. 

With grace you return to the earth 

the nourishment you harvested: 

a life time of receiving and giving.

Lord God, let our faith 

nourish generations to come 

just as we gain from those who have gone before. 

May the power of the resurrection 

sustain us with eternal life.

Amen.

The Grace

Trees as Good Samaritans 

24th August 2024

And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat. Genesis 2:9

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A story based on an idea by Jesus as recorded in Luke’s gospel. 

There once was a sojourner who, going about their daily business, was beset by disaster upon disaster: floods and drought, heatwaves and colds snaps, hunger and thirst. 

Politicians, as they passed, turned to look the other way. Church leaders buried their noses in their prayer books. The wealthy trusted money as a get-out clause.

Yet  in the midst of it all, were the trees. They kept on breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; they even helped clean the air of pollutants. They collected rain with their leaves to slow its fall, and collected more between their roots, reducing the risk of flooding. Their leaves provided shade and, as they released moisture, so they cooled the air. They caught energy from the sun and turned it into useful materials, food and even medicines. They welcomed other visitors, fauna and flora. They offered green spaces that calmed the anxious and the weary. 

Who was the good neighbour to the sojourner?

Holy God, 

we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. 

We have ignored the plight of others. 

We have not stood in solidarity with those who need help. 

Rather we have spurned those who are our neighbours.

We have cut them down in their prime.

We have cut away at their roots 

and have poisoned their lifeblood. 

Have mercy.

Have mercy,.

Heal us and have mercy. 

A reading Leviticus 23:39-41 (The Message) 

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have brought your crops in from your fields, celebrate the Feast of God for seven days. The first day is a complete rest and the eighth day is a complete rest. On the first day, pick the best fruit from the best trees; take fronds of palm trees and branches of leafy trees and from willows by the brook and celebrate in the presence of your God for seven days—yes, for seven full days celebrate it as a festival to God. Every year from now on, celebrate it in the seventh month.

God of the oak and the tamarisk, 

we praise you.

God of the palm tree and the olive, 

we praise you.

God of the fig tree and the vine, 

we praise you.

God of the cedar and the myrtle, 

we praise you.

For the wonder and beauty of trees, 

we praise you.

For leaves and shade, for seeds and fruit, 

we praise you.

For rootedness and stability, 

we praise you.

For maturity and heritage, 

we praise you.

For carbon absorbed and oxygen released, 

we praise you.

For community and interconnectedness, 

we praise you.

God of wisdom, 

teach us to understand and value 

the world you have created. 

Teach us to recognise that what you create is one family, 

that all its people, its plants and creatures, 

are our brothers and sisters.   

Teach us to love them as our neighbours, 

and give us the grace 

to receive the love they bestow on us. 

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Taste and see – God is good!

17th August 2024

O taste and see that the Lord is good Psalm 34:8a

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Isaiah 55:1-3 (The Message translation)

Hey there! All who are thirsty,
    come to the water!
Are you penniless?
    Come anyway—buy and eat!
Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk.
    Buy without money—everything’s free!
Why do you spend your money on junk food,
    your hard-earned cash on cotton candy?
Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best,
    fill yourself with only the finest.
Pay attention, come close now,
    listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.
I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you,
    the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.

A response:

Listen; attune your ears – what do you hear? 

The excited chatter of children,

and the chatter of jackdaws,

wind rustling the leaves,

and feet tapping the road.

Or the drone of cars – too much!

Or the whine of planes – too many!

Look; focus your vision – what do you see?

a lacework of branches against the sky,

and curvaceous clouds,

tawny shades of fallen leaves,

and the tight curl of a snail shell.

Or traffic crawling bumper to bumper – too much

Or discarded tatters of plastic – too many!

Stretch; bare your skin – what do you feel?

The warm caress of the sun, 

the chilly nip of the breeze,

the prickle of grass,

the textured bark of a tree

Or the rasp of exhaust in your throat – too much!

Or the scratch of particulates in your eyes – too many!

Sniff; breathe deeply – what do you smell?

The aroma of fresh coffee,

and the zest of orange juice,

the fragrance of the last rose,

and the warmth of ground spices.

Or the reek of petrol – too much!

Or the sting of pesticides – too many!

Savour; let it linger on your tongue – what do you taste?

The fresh acidity of an apple, 

and the earthy satisfaction of bread,

the squashy sweetness of banana,

and the melting delight of chocolate.

Or the fake sweetness of green wash – too much!

Or the gall of climate injustice- too many !

Merciful God, 

bring us to  our senses.

Help us rebuild a world 

of right experiences.

Amen.

Love overcomes hate

10th August 2024

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Matthew 5:43-47 (The Message)

 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

Hate or love?

Hate smoulders and burns.

It reduces cheer to ash and clinker..

Love soothes the flaming rage,

And untangles twisted thoughts.

Hate rides roughshod over compassion.

It disregards the truth.

.

Love reads between the lines,

And hears the hidden words of hope..

Hate erects rigid boundaries.

It ring-fences every option.  

Love sees beyond the corner,

And stretches out new horizons.

Hate casts an evil guise over every action.

It masks every sign of joy.

Love lifts the veil, 

And finds the hidden virtue.

Hate feeds on anger. 

Its rapacious appetite knows no limit. 

Love expands with humility, 

And grows with easy care.

Hate is all consuming – 

Till nothing true remains.

Love is all consuming – 

Till only truth remains. 

Prayers

Holy God of love,

Heal the wounds where hate festers.

Renew our trust in one another.

Holy God of love,

Remove the log that blinds the eye. 

Restore our vision of the world aright.

Holy God of love,

Open the ears that are stopped.

Retune our understanding of forgiveness.

Holy God of love,

Cut through warfare and  vengeance –

In streets and cities in the UK.

In Palestine and Isreal.

In Lebanon.

In North  Sudan and Darfor.. 

In Nigeria and the Sahel. 

In Haiti. 

In Kenya.

In Ukraine and in Russia.

Cut through war and vengeance –

wherever it is found.

Replant the seeds of peace,

Water them with  love,  

with compassion, 

and feed them with vigorous determination. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Bread for sharing

27th July 2024

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Matthew 7:9

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

Genesis 8:22 As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.

Heavenly Parent, mother and father of us all,

May you be ever honoured by your people.

For you are the one who caused the earth to bring forth seed bearing plants –

wheat and barley, oats and rye and all manner of grains. 

You are the one who provides the staff of life.

Hallowed be your name!

Isaiah 55: 10 -11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Heavenly God, creator of soul and body,

May you be ever honoured by your people.

From you comes wisdom and insight 

so that we may learn how to,love you and our neighbour.

You are the one who provides the staff of life.

May your kingdom come!

Matthew 14:19-20  Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

Heavenly Redeemer, sustainer of life, 

May you be ever honoured by your people.

You provided manna for the long years in the wilderness,

And the harvests of the earth are sufficient to feed the whole world,

such that all should have the means to thrive and flourish.

May your will be done!

Teach us today and every day to handle bread with respect.

Teach us today and everyday to appreciate that bread is the means of life.

Teach us today and everyday to take only what we need.

Teach us today and everyday not to steal from tomorrow’s supply.

Teach us today and everyday not to hoard what comes to us as a gift.

Teach us today and everyday to share what you give us.

Teach us today and everyday not to be satisfied until everyone is fed.

The Lord’s Prayer

Waves – Prayers for Creation

13th July 2024 

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!
2 Corinthians 6:2b

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Luke 10:1, 8-11 ‘After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.  Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’  But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,  ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’

Response: Now is the time to act. Now is the time to build a new world.

The gentle to and fro of the wave, 

back and forth, 

soothing,

gently rocking, 

Loving God, calm us, and

move us as peace-makers.


The persistence of the wave, 

never stopping, 

never quitting, 

gradually wearing down all resistance

Loving God, sustain us, and 

make us a force for good.


The power of the wave, 

building up, 

growing in size, 

acquiring energy as it moves 

Loving God, strengthen us, and 

harness our energy to do what is right.


The breaker, poised but still moving, 

ready to break – 

to break out, to break up, 

to break forth

Loving God, contain us, and 

prepare us to spill out into the world.


The crest of the wave, exploding, 

releasing energy 

that breaks down barriers 

and undermines obstructions

Loving God, free us, and 

use us to reform the structures of the world.


Storm wave, tidal wave, 

tsunami,

that brokers no discussion, 

that overwhelms all

Loving God, override us, 

and free the world from its own vices.

Amen.

Prayers following a general election

6th July 2024

 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Matthew 25: 31- 45 

‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,  and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”  Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?  And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?”  And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;  for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.”  Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?”  Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” 


Loving God 

who called upon the first humans

to care and nurture all that had been created,

we ask your blessing on those we have elected 

to create a new government to direct the ways of this nation.

Bless those we have elected with compassion 

that they will be mindful always of those in need.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. 


Bless those we have elected with kindness 

that they will look upon everyone they serve with love.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. 


Bless those we have elected with humility 

that they will not consider themselves more important than those they serve.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. 


Bless those we have elected with meekness 

that they will not be swayed by powerful interests.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. 


Bless those we have elected with patience 

that they will not use short term popularity to divert them from long term needs.

Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. 


Bless those of us who have been the electorate 

that we will do all that is within our power 

to enable that rule that brings about your kingdom of love 

here on earth as in heaven.

Amen.

Pentecost-tide

25th May 2024

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job  33:4

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Job 38:4-7: 

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone

when the morning stars sang together
    and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?”

Response and reply:-

Lord,  we should not cease to be amazed at the wonder of creation, 

the diversity of colour, shape and size,

the ingenious adaptations of plants and animals,

the interconnectedness of all living things.


Then Job answered the Lord: 

‘See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?   

I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer;   

twice, but will proceed no further.’ Job 40:3-5


Lord, we should not forget the immense timespan of creation,  

the geological ages that have gone before us,  

and the ages yet to come. 

Forgive us when we exaggerate our importance, 

when we claim knowledge we do not have

and when we exceed our competence.

But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
    the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
    and the fish of the sea will declare to you.

Who among all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In his hand is the life of every living thing
    and the breath of every human being. Job 12:7-10, 13


Lord, teach us wisdom. 

Give us humility to learn from others, 

patience to observe what is true,

and contrition to make amends for our mistakes.

Show us how to find joy in simple things, 

contentment with less, 

and  delight in companionship with all creation. 

May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works—

who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the Lord. Psalm 104: 31-34


Lord, may your creation flourish, 

may we ever be thrilled by what we see, 

uplifted  by what we experience, 

and delighted by what we can offer you. 

The Grace.

Pentecost

18th May 2024

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Sovereign God, 

set your people free from the aggression of war; 

set your people free from the pains of hunger; 

set your people free from the addiction of greed; 

set your people free from the entrapment of consumerism; 

set your people free from their blinkered incomprehension of the climate crisis. 

Grant us instead the freedom 

of understanding that comes from your Holy, life-giving, Spirit.

Amen. 

A reading from Isaiah 32:14 -17  (The Message)

The royal palace is deserted,
    the bustling city quiet as a morgue,
The emptied parks and playgrounds
    taken over by wild animals,
    delighted with their new home.

Yes, weep and grieve until the Spirit is poured
    down on us from above
And the badlands desert grows crops
    and the fertile fields become forests.
Justice will move into the badlands desert.
    Right will build a home in the fertile field.
And where there’s Right, there’ll be Peace
    and the progeny of Right: quiet lives and endless trust.
My people will live in a peaceful neighbourhood—
    in safe houses, in quiet gardens.
The forest of your pride will be clear-cut,
    the city showing off your power levelled.
But you will enjoy a fortunate life,
    planting well-watered fields and gardens,
    with your farm animals grazing freely.

.

Pentecost Spirit, 

taking  breath over creation, 

drawing life out of chaos. 

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

Pentecost Spirit, 

riding on the storm clouds of anger, 

turning the world upside down. 

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

Pentecost Spirit, 

dividing the waters, 

cutting through the bonds of slavery.

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

Pentecost Spirit, 

raising up whirl winds 

yet drawing us into the still centre of calm.

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

Pentecost Spirit, 

that comes from we know not where, 

yet reveals to us all truth.

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

Pentecost Spirit, 

a sudden gale that rocks the boat, 

yet challenges us to hang onto our faith.

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

 Pentecost Spirit, 

a gentle evening breeze,

that refreshes the soul when the day’s work is done.

Inspire us with a vision of the world as it could  be.

Fill our hearts with active love.

The Grace.

If you love me (discourse)

11th May 2024

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from John 14:15-17 

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees her nor knows her. You know her, because she abides with you, and she will be in you.”

Response:

In the  warm sun, the aroma  of coffee, the embrace of a friend, 

 God is my comforter.

In the fresh air in my lungs, the soil beneath my feet, the push of the wind, 

God is my strength.

From the contentment of the cat and the playfulness of the otter,

God is my guide.

In the  midst of strangers, in the face of opposition and contempt,  

God is my advocate.

In the  blue of the sky, the green of the leaves, the love of neighbour,

God is my truth-teller.

In rise of the hills, the flow of the tide, the song of the bird,

God is my inspiration.

Holy  God, I thank you that you are the ever-abiding presence 

that brings new life. 

May I in turn share that good news with all whom I meet.

Amen.