Prayer by Kay Conn

Dearest Father,

We can only marvel at this world you have created for us: the skies above; the sun and stars; the oceans deep; the hills and valleys.

How can we begin to express our praise? Your greatness, your goodness and your glory are beyond words. Your love surrounds us throughout our lives.

When the world and its pressures threaten to overwhelm us, you carry us through. When we struggle to face our hardest times with faith, you never reject us but continue to hold out your hand to us. Your love for us is beyond limit: in our times of deepest need, your care and compassion never fails to reach out to us. Your wisdom and patience gently guides us: when one door closes and we feel defeated, you open another, helping us learn that we may need to change course.

How boundless is your mercy, that no matter how terrible are our mistakes, how shameful are our secrets, how often we may stumble and fall, we can ask for your forgiveness?

Father, we pray for all those throughout the world who are most in need of your love at this time: for those who have lost loved ones, who have lost their homes and their livelihood as a result of flooding, monsoons, earthquakes or landslides. We ask you to care for them and for those who tirelessly risk their own lives to bring others to safety.

We pray too for all those who bear the responsibility of looking after our communities: those who govern, either locally or nationally; those who care, whether medically, pastorially or socially; those who teach our young people and those who keep our neighbourhoods safe.

Father help those who are struggling at this time, whether because of ill health, or bereavement or financial worries or because of a relationship in turmoil – and they don’t know where to turn. Help them to turn to you and guide them in the best way forward. In a moment of silence, we give you those we know who need you.

Loving God, help us to see things with Your eyes, to speak with Your lips and to love with Your heart.

Now, let us worship you with the words we all know and love:

Our Father,

Which art in heaven

Hallowed be Thy name

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our debts

As we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation