Category: Prayers

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.

Good Friday 

29th March 2024

“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly” Luke 1:52

A reading from Mark 8: 3, 34 -36  He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

Lord Jesus, you resisted prejudice and discrimination; 

you stood up for the poor and the marginalised. 

Strengthen our hands and hearts to do likewise.

Lord Jesus, you opposed the abuse and misuse of power, 

disrupting trade practices and worship.

Strengthen our hands and hearts to do likewise.

Lord Jesus, you gave us the example of nonviolent opposition,

confronting your opponents with truth and steadfast calm.

Strengthen our hands and hearts to do likewise.

Lord Jesus, you transfigured the character of authority, 

giving us the example of service and self sacrifice.

Strengthen our hands and hearts to do likewise.

Lord Jesus, you remodelled kingship, 

giving is the example of humility and vulnerability.

Strengthen our hands and hearts to do likewise.

Lord Jesus, you gave us a new covenant, 

a new relationship with God and with each other – 

based on love and companionship.

Strengthen our hands and hearts to do likewise.

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12: 31-32

As we look on a world full of woe, 

we see the evils that cause famine 

and plea for help.  

Lord Jesus, 

rooted in earth, lift us up to heaven.

As we look on a world full of woe, 

we see the evils that cause war and terror 

and plea for help.  

Lord Jesus, 

rooted in earth, lift us up to heaven.

As we look on a world full of woe, 

we see the evils that cause injustice and persecution 

and plea for help.  

Lord Jesus, 

rooted in earth, lift us up to heaven.

As we look on a world full of woe, 

we see the evils that cause environmental destruction

and plea for help.  

Lord Jesus, 

rooted in earth, lift us up to heaven.

As we look on a world full of woe, 

we see the evils that cause enmity  between neighbours 

and plea for help.  

Lord Jesus, 

rooted in earth, lift us up to heaven.

As we look on a world full of woe, 

we see the evils that cause apathy and despair 

and plea for help.  

Lord Jesus, 

rooted in earth, lift us up to heaven.

Lord Jesus have mercy on us, 

revive in us your Spirit 

that we may look towards the day of resurrection 

with eager anticipation.

Amen.

Lent – walking dangerous paths

23rd March 2024  

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

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 Deuteronomy 10:12-13 

So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,  and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being.

People who walk as refugees 

struggling under burdens too heavy to unpack, 

want only a safe future.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.


People who walk the lonely streets 

wrapped in a dirt-worn sleeping bag, 

want only a bed to call home.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.


People who walk across parched fields 

at a pace which hunger dictates, 

want only a square meal each day.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.

People who walk gingerly around unexplored ordinances 

ducking out of the sniper’s range, 

want only a foundation for peace.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.

People who walk the chicane 

of benefits offices and job centres, of interviews and rejections, 

want only life-fulfilling employment.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.

People who walk as massed processions 

bearing placards that express their hopes and fears, 

want only justice and democracy.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.

People who walk the corridors of power 

enveloped in self importance and blinkered by nepotism, 

need – surely? – only to walk the streets of lived experience.

Merciful God, show us your pathways of love.

A further reading from Matthew 21:7-11

They brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!
    Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds were saying, ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Merciful God, lead us in the right paths.

Amen.

Lent – seeking God’s wisdom

Friday 18th March

“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! Isaiah 55:1

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: Isaiah 55: 6-13 (The Message translation)

Seek God while he’s here to be found,
    pray to him while he’s close at hand.
Let the wicked abandon their way of life
    and the evil their way of thinking.
Let them come back to God, who is merciful,
    come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.

“I don’t think the way you think.
    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
        God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
    and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
    and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
    producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth
    not come back empty-handed.
They’ll do the work I sent them to do,
    they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.

“So you’ll go out in joy,
    you’ll be led into a whole and complete life.
The mountains and hills will lead the parade,
    bursting with song.
All the trees of the forest will join the procession,
    exuberant with applause.
No more thistles, but giant sequoias,
    no more thornbushes, but stately pines—
Monuments to me, to God,
    living and lasting evidence of God.”

A response: 

God’s vision of the world is one of beauty and harmony –

Yet we do not listen,

We will not hear, 

Our eyes are blinkered. 

Lord, in your mercy awaken us to your wisdom.

God’s vision of the world is one of generosity and abundance –

Yet we hoard what decays,

We squabble over wealth, 

Our hearts are greedy.

Lord, in your mercy awaken us to your wisdom.

God’s vision of the world is one of promise and covenant –

Yet we don’t trust God, 

We don’t  trust our brethren, 

Our ways are deceitful.

Lord, in your mercy awaken us to your wisdom.

God’s vision of the world is one of peace and restoration – 

Yet we fight rather than listen, 

We provoke revenge not love,

Our judgements are corrupt.

Lord, in your mercy awaken us to your wisdom.

Feed us with love

Cleanse us of hate

Gift us with compassion 

Restore our trust in humanity

Renew our understanding of nature 

Fill us with joy

Make us again the people of God.

Amen.

Lent – Prayers for creation 

9th March 2024

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus Isaiah 35:1

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: Isaiah 42: 5, 10-12 

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise from the end of the earth!
Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
    the coastlands and their inhabitants.

Let the desert and its towns lift up their voice,
    the villages that Kedar inhabits;
let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy,
    let them shout from the tops of the mountains.

Let them give glory to the Lord,
    and declare his praise in the coastlands.

Intercessions 

We give thanks for the beauty and diversity of the world you have given us, for its colour and abundance, its richness and vitality.  

Generous God, hear our prayer.

With sorrow, we acknowledge our part in damaging what you have created. We acknowledge that our lifestyles have been selfish and careless.  We acknowledge that we could and can do more to tend this earth and care for its inhabitants. 

Merciful God, hear our prayer.

We pray for these who conserve plant and animal wildlife, birds and insects. We pray for the work of agriculturalist and scientists in developing better, kinder ways of living on this earth. We pray for the resilience of small communities that they may continue to live in harmony with their environment. 

Gracious God, hear our prayer. 

We pray for government leaders and advisers, farmers and business leaders, that they will hold dear the needs of the environment and seek to avert the risks imposed by the climate crisis. 

Enabling God, hear our prayer.

With grief we despair at our human capacity to make war not peace, to seek violence not reconciliation. Renew within us hearts that overflow with compassion and forgiveness that with your grace we may always seek peace.

Ever-patient God, hear our prayer. 

The Grace 

Lent – justice and righteousness

2nd March 2024

The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

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 Deuteronomy 24: 14-15

You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy labourers, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns. You shall pay them their wages daily before sunset, because they are poor and their livelihood depends on them; otherwise they might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt. 

Response:

Wages that do not meet the rent,

Pay that does not feed the family?

Let justice roll on like a river, 

righteousness like a never-failing stream!


Debts that cripple, 

Interest rates that grow exponentially?

Let justice roll on like a river, 

righteousness like a never-failing stream!


Money for factories but not for schools

For plantations but not for hospitals?

Let justice roll on like a river, 

righteousness like a never-failing stream!


An absence of workers’ rights, 

Child labour and slavery?

Let justice roll on like a river, 

righteousness like a never-failing stream!


Destruction of forests and habitats,

Loss of native wildlife ?

Let justice roll on like a river, 

righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Response from Amos 5:24)

You have been told, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Intercessions:

We pray for those who own sugar and palm oil, coffee and cocoa plantations:

That they may seek justice for workers and wildlife, for soils and habitats. 


We pray for agriculturalists and scientists:

That their work developing ecological and practical farming methods may flourish.


We pray for investors and entrepreneurs:

That their work developing new and sustainable markets may grow.


We pray for those who raise funds and awareness for justice, and those who campaign and lobby:

That they may succeed in changing both hearts and minds and government policies.


We pray for those who monitor progress and certify just business operations:

That their work will ensure and expand fair trade.


We pray for ourselves and all consumers:

That our hearts and purses will be open to the goals of fair trade.

Amen.


With gratitude we celebrate all that the Fair Trade movement has achieved, 

For lives transformed, for land restored and communities strengthened.

Gracious and ever generous God, 

We thank you for the gift and wonder of creation,

For the plants, animals and peoples

that reveal the munificence of your love.

Amen. 

NB the Fair Trade Fortnight runs from 4th – 17th March 2024

Lent – choice & tipping points

24th February 2024

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus Isaiah 35:1

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 Deuteronomy 30:16a, 19  I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways…. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 

A litany of tipping points

Adam, Eve and the fruit that was good to eat:

Eat  and be self-determined?

Not eat and be God-determined?

– A tipping point.

Moses, Pharaoh and a river of blood:

Let the people, these troublemakers go?

Follow the call of this troublemaking God?

 – a tipping point.

A people, a rule of life, and a golden calf:

Accept the short-termism of humanity and give up;
Plead God for mercy and start over afresh?

– a tipping point.

Exile, return and rebuild a new future:

Same old temple, same old rule-bound exclusivity;

New heart, new faith, an openness to others?

 – a tipping point?


Repent, good news, healings and miracles:

A charade, a charlatan, a feel good non entity;

Revelation, reformation, real life born afresh?

 – a tipping point?


Rebellion, deception, execution:

Confrontation, subjugation, might is right;

Confraternity, transformation, God is right?

 – a tipping point?


Empty tomb, close encounters and reunions:

Disbelief, cynicism and a hasty coverup;

Joy, mystery and real life resurrection?

 – a tipping point?


Tipping points are many and varied. 

Some good, some bad.

Help us life, affirming God, 

to see the tipping points we face, 

to see the hazards to avoid, 

the new routes to ride.


Help us, life affirming God, 

to heed the words of your present day prophets, 

the pleas of your children across the globe,  

and the anguished cries of the earth.

Inspire our hearts and empower our actions, 

that we may be a tipping point for good.


Help us, life affirming God, 

to see again in the life and resurrection of Jesus, 

the example we should follow, 

to know once more that Christ’s gospel 

will continue to transform the world.

Amen.